Method of reproducing information

ABSTRACT

On an optical disk, video object sets (VTST --  VOBS) to be reproduced and video title set information (VTSI) serving as management information on the video object sets have been stored. In each video object set (VTST --  VOBS), many data cells, each containing video, audio, and sub-picture data, are arranged. Management information on programs chains, which are combinations of programs to be reproduced one after another, has been written in a video title set program chain table (VTS --  PGCIT). By referring to the PGC table (VTS --  PGCIT) according to the user&#39;s input, the playback order of the program chains can be changed, enabling the program chains to be reproduced one after another in various modes.

This is a division of application Ser. No. 08/631,436 filed Apr. 12,1996.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a large-capacity recording medium, amethod of reproducing information from the large-capacity recordingmedium, a reproducing apparatus for reproducing information from thelarge-capacity recording medium, a method of recording information inthe large-capacity recording medium, and a recording apparatus forrecording information in the large-capacity recording medium. Inparticular, this invention relates to an optical disk on whichreproduction information, such as at least one movie, a plurality ofselectable languages associated with this movie, a plurality ofsub-pictures and a number of audio streams, are recorded at high densitythereon and from which selected reproduction information can bereproduced in an interactive environment, a method and an apparatus forselectively reproducing the reproduction information from the opticaldisk, and a method and an apparatus for recording the reproductioninformation on the optical disk at high density.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recently, with a progress in data compression technology andhigh-density recording technology, a high-density recording type opticaldisk has been developed as a recording medium capable of storing a greatamount of data. This type of recording medium is able to store not onlyaudio data but also video data as reproduction data, as well as videodata and audio data of plural titles in the near future. Since thisrecording medium has a large memory capacity, it can store not onlyvideo data of a pre-designated single story or audio data of a singlearrangement, but also video data of multiple stories or audio data ofmultiple arrangement which can be selected by the user. Thus, aninteractive environment will be provided in the near future.

In an example of multi-story video data, the user positively selects ascene development of a movie or a program and reproduces selected scenessuccessively, thereby making it possible that the story is developeddiversely according to the user's preference. Specifically, an ordinarymovie story has a plot of "introduction," "development," "turn," and"conclusion." For example, the reproduced movie begins with a portion ofthe story, i.e. a segment story, corresponding to the "introduction." Aplurality of segment stories, e.g. two segment stories, are prepared as"development" segment stories. Further, a plurality of segment stories,e.g. two segment stories, are prepared as "turn" segment storiescorresponding to each "development" segment story. Thus, four "turn"segment stories are prepared in total. Then, a plurality of segmentstories, e.g. two segment stories, are prepared as "conclusion" segmentstories corresponding to each "turn" segment story. Thus, eight"conclusion" segment stories are prepared in total. In this example, theuser can select a desired segment story at each change point of thestory, thus enjoying different scene developments.

Besides, a quiz program may be produced in the multi-story structure.Thereby, a quiz program with different levels of difficulty can beproduced. In particular, a quiz program focused on a field of questionsin which the user is interested can be produced. In the case of afortune-telling program, a result of the fortune-telling may bedisplayed according to "YES/NO" of the user and/or the date of birth ofthe user. In an example of multi-arrangement audio data, a "solo" soundscene or a "ensemble" sound scene may be selected in a specific movementof an orchestra music.

Regarding the recording medium on which the multi-story video data ormulti-arrangement audio data is recorded as reproduction data, selectioninformation or branch information for selecting a certain segment storyfollowing a preceding subsequent segment story is, in general, notrecorded on the medium itself but on special application software. Theapplication software associates the recorded contents with the branchinformation, and the branch information is based on the applicationsoftware. Thus, an exclusive-use application program is needed for eachrecording medium. In other words, even if recording mediums are common,an exclusive-use application program must be developed according to thedata recorded on each recording medium.

There is a recording medium of the type in which the branch informationor selection information is recorded on the recording medium itself. Inthis recording medium, branch information or selection information isstored in a specific region of the recording medium. The specific regionis always referred to read out the branch information or selectioninformation. In this type of recording medium, a long time may be neededto access the selection information. Besides, when the recorded data isre-recorded on another recording medium and the re-recorded data isreproduced, the branch information or selection information may be lost,resulting in a problem of reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first object of the invention is to provide a recording medium inwhich selectable items or movie stories are recorded, the selectableitems or movie stories being capable of being reproduced in accordancewith a user's demand in an interactive environment.

A second object of the invention is to provide a method of and apparatusfor reproducing data from a recording medium in which selectable itemsor movie stories are recorded, the selectable items or stories beingcapable of being reproduced in accordance with a user's demand in aninteractive environment.

A third object of the invention is is to provide a method of andapparatus for producing data in which selectable items or movie storiesare recorded, the selectable items or stories being capable of beingreproduced in accordance with a user's demand in an interactiveenvironment.

A fourth object of the invention to a recording medium in whichreproducing data including selectable items or movie stories andmanagement data are recorded, the selectable items or movie storiesbeing capable of being reproduced with reference to the management datain accordance with a user's demand in an interactive environment.

A fifth object of the invention is to provide an apparatus forreproducing data from a recording medium in which reproducing dataincluding selectable items or movie stories and management data arerecorded, the selectable items or stories being capable of beingreproduced with reference to the management data in accordance with auser's demand in an interactive environment.

A sixth object of the invention is to provide a method of producing datain which reproducing data including selectable items or movie storiesand management data are recorded, the selectable items or stories beingcapable of being reproduced with reference to the management data inaccordance with a user's demand in an interactive environment.

A seventh object of the invention is to provide a communication systemfor transferring reproduction data with management data, in whichselectable items or movie stories are recorded, the selectable items orstories being capable of being reproduced in accordance with a user'sdemand in an interactive environment.

According to first aspect of the invention, there is provided arecording medium comprising:

a data area in which

a first data arrangement containing a plurality of video data cells ineach of which video data has been stored and

first management information for managing said first data arrangementand includes first cell playback information specifying the playbackorder of video data cells in the first data arrangement and firstcontent information on the contents of the first data arrangement, havebeen recorded.

According to second aspect of the invention, there is provided a methodof reproducing video data cells from a recording medium having a dataarea in which a first data arrangement containing a plurality of videodata cells in each of which video data has been stored and firstmanagement information that is for managing the first data arrangementand includes first cell playback information specifying the playbackorder of video data cells in the first data arrangement and firstcontent information on the contents of said first data arrangement, havebeen recorded, the method comprising the steps of:

acquiring the first content information and setting a playback stateaccording to the first content information; and

acquiring the first cell playback information and reproducing video datacells according to the first cell playback information.

According to third aspect of the invention, there is provided anapparatus for reproducing video data cells from a recording mediumhaving a data area in which a first data arrangement containing aplurality of video data cells in each of which video data has beenstored and first management information that is for managing the firstdata arrangement and includes first cell playback information specifyingthe playback order of video data cells in the first data arrangement andfirst content information on the contents of the first data arrangement,have been recorded, the apparatus comprising:

means for searching the recording medium for the first managementinformation and the first data arrangement;

means for storing the read-out first management information;

means for setting a playback state according to the first contentinformation in the first management information;

means for transferring video data cells in the first data arrangementaccording to the first cell playback information in the first managementinformation; and

means for converting the transferred video data cells into videosignals.

According to fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided arecording method comprising the steps of:

creating a first data arrangement containing a plurality of video datacells in each of which video data has been stored;

creating first management information that is for managing the firstdata arrangement and includes first cell playback information specifyingthe playback order of video data cells in said first data arrangementand first content information on the contents of the first dataarrangement; and

recording the first management information in a first segment area ofthe data area on a recording medium and the first data arrangement in asecond segment area different from the first segment area of the dataarea on the recording medium.

According to fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided arecording apparatus comprising:

means for creating not only a first data arrangement containing aplurality of video data cells in each of which video data has beenstored, but also first management information that is for managing thefirst data arrangement and includes first cell playback informationspecifying the playback order of video data cells in the first dataarrangement and first content information on the contents of the firstdata arrangement; and

means for recording not only the first management information in a firstsegment area of the data area on a recording medium, but also the firstdata arrangement in a second segment area different from the firstsegment area of the data area on the recording medium.

According to sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided acommunication system for transferring playback data with navigationdata, comprising:

means for creating not only a first data arrangement containing aplurality of video data cells in each of which video data pack and audiodata packs, each containing compressed and packed data, have beenstored, but also first management information that is for managing thefirst data arrangement and includes first cell playback informationspecifying the playback order of video data cells in the dataarrangement and first content information on the contents of said firstdata arrangement; and

means for transferring said first data arrangement after havingtransferred the first management information.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth inthe description which follows, and in part will be obvious from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectsand advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means ofthe instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in theappended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate presently preferred embodiments ofthe invention and, together with the general description given above andthe detailed description of the preferred embodiments given below, serveto explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing an optical diskapparatus;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing details of the mechanism of a diskdrive section shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing the structure of anoptical disk shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view illustrating the structure of a logicformat of the optical disk shown in FIG. 3 according to an initialversion;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view illustrating the structure of a diskinformation file shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view illustrating the structure of a file, suchas a movie file or a music file as shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view illustrating the hierarchical structure ofa video data area of the file shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing 1 GOP (Group of Pictures)constituting a video cell shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing parameters described on a cellinformation table in a file management information area shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing parameters described on asequence information table in the file management information area shownin FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing parameters described on a filemanagement table in the file management information area shown in FIG.6;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating a completion-type sequence;

FIG. 13 is a flow chart similarly illustrating the completion-typesequence;

FIG. 14 is a flow chart illustrating a connection-type sequence;

FIG. 15 is a flow chart similarly illustrating the connection-typesequence;

FIG. 16 is a flow chart similarly illustrating the connection-typesequence;

FIG. 17 is a flow chart illustrating another connection-type sequence;

FIG. 18 is a flow chart similarly illustrating the connection-typesequence;

FIG. 19 is a flow chart similarly illustrating the connection-typesequence;

FIG. 20 is an explanatory view showing the relationship between cellinformation and sequence information;

FIG. 21 is an explanatory view similarly showing the relationshipbetween the cell information and sequence information;

FIGS. 22A to 22D are explanatory views similarly showing therelationship between the cell information and sequence information;

FIG. 23 is a flow chart illustrating a process of forming cellinformation and sequence information;

FIG. 24 is a flow chart similarly illustrating the process of formingthe cell information and sequence information;

FIG. 25 is a flow chart similarly illustrating the process of formingthe cell information and sequence information;

FIG. 26 shows a structure of a logic format of an optical disk accordingto an improved version of the logic format of the optical disk accordingto the initial version shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 27 shows a structure of a video manager shown in FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 shows a structure of a video object set (VOBS) shown in FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 shows parameters and contents of a volume manager informationmanagement table (VMGI₋₋ MAT) in the video manager (VMGI) shown in FIG.27;

FIG. 30 shows a structure of a title search pointer table (TSPT) in thevideo manager (VMGI) shown in FIG. 27;

FIG. 31 shows parameters and contents of title search pointer tableinformation (TSPTI) of the title search pointer table (TSPT) shown inFIG. 30;

FIG. 32 shows parameters and contents of a title search pointer (TT₋₋SRP) corresponding to an input number of the title search pointer table(TSPT) shown in FIG. 30;

FIG. 33 is a view for describing the structure of a program chain storedin the file;

FIG. 34 shows a structure of a video manager menu PGCI unit table(VMGM₋₋ PGCI₋₋ UT) shown in FIG. 27;

FIG. 35 shows parameters and contents of VMGM₋₋ PGCI unit tableinformation shown in FIG. 23;

FIG. 36 shows parameters and contents of a video manager menu languageunit search pointer shown in FIG. 35;

FIG. 37 shows a structure of a video manager menu language unit shown inFIG. 34;

FIG. 38 shows parameters and contents of video manager menu languageunit information shown in FIG. 37;

FIG. 39 shows parameters and contents of video manager menu programchain information shown in FIG. 37;

FIG. 40 shows a structure of a video title set attribute table shown inFIG. 27;

FIG. 41 shows parameters and contents of video title set attribute tableinformation shown in FIG. 40;

FIG. 42 shows parameters and contents of a video title set attributesearch pointer shown in FIG. 40;

FIG. 43 shows parameters and contents of video title set attribute shownin FIG. 40;

FIG. 44 shows a structure of a video title set shown in FIG. 26;

FIG. 45 shows parameters and contents of a management table (VTSI₋₋ MAT)of video title set information (VTSI) shown in FIG. 44;

FIG. 46 shows a structure of a video title set part of title searchpointer table (VTS₋₋ PTT₋₋ SRPT) shown in FIG. 44;

FIG. 47 shows parameters and contents of part of title search pointerinformation (PTT₋₋ SRPTI) shown in FIG. 46;

FIG. 48 shows parameters and contents of a title unit search pointer(TTU₋₋ SRP) shown in FIG. 46;

FIG. 49 shows parameters and contents of a part of title search pointer(PTT₋₋ SRP) shown in FIG. 46;

FIG. 50 shows a structure of a table (VTS₋₋ PGCIT) of video title setprogram chain information shown in FIG. 46;

FIG. 51 shows parameters and contents of information (VTS₋₋ PGCITI) of atable (VTS₋₋ PGCIT) of video title set program chain information shownin FIG. 50;

FIG. 52 shows parameters and contents of a search pointer (VTS₋₋ PGCIT₋₋SRP) of the table (VTS₋₋ PGCIT) of the video title set program chaininformation shown in FIG. 50;

FIG. 53 shows a structure of program chain information (VTS₋₋ PGCI) forvideo title set corresponding to the program chain of video title setprogram chain information (VTS₋₋ PGCI) shown in FIG. 50;

FIG. 54 shows parameters and contents of general information (PGC₋₋ GI)of a program chain of program chain information (VTS₋₋ PGCI) shown FIG.53;

FIG. 55 is a bit map table showing description of PGC₋₋ CNT shown inFIG. 54;

FIG. 56 shows a structure of a PGC navigation command table (PGC₋₋ NV₋₋CMDT) shown in FIG. 53;

FIG. 57 shows parameters and contents of PGC navigation command tableinformation (PGC₋₋ NV₋₋ CMDTI) shown in FIG. 56;

FIG. 58 shows parameters and contents of a prenavigation command (PRE₋₋NV₋₋ CMD) shown in FIG. 56;

FIG. 59 shows parameters and contents of a postprocess navigationcommand (POST₋₋ NV₋₋ CMD) shown in FIG. 56;

FIG. 60 shows parameters and contents of an intercell navigation command(IC₋₋ NV₋₋ CMD) shown in FIG. 56;

FIG. 61 shows a structure of a program chain map (PGC₋₋ PGMAP) ofprogram chain information (VTS₋₋ PGCI) shown in FIG. 53;

FIG. 62 shows parameters and contents of an entry cell number (ECELLN)of a program described on a program chain map (PGC₋₋ PGMAP) shown inFIG. 61;

FIG. 63 shows a structure of a cell playback information table (C₋₋PBIT) of program chain information (VTS₋₋ PGCI) shown in FIG. 53;

FIG. 64 shows parameters and contents of cell playback information (C₋₋PBI) on the cell playback information table (C₋₋ PBIT) shown in FIG. 63;

FIG. 65 shows a structure of cell position information (C₋₋ POSI) ofprogram chain information (VTS₋₋ PGCI) shown in FIG. 63;

FIG. 66 shows parameters and contents of the cell position information(C₋₋ POSI) shown in FIG. 65;

FIG. 67 shows a structure of a video title set menu PGC unit table;

FIG. 68 shows parameters and contents of video title set PGCI unit tableinformation shown in FIG. 67;

FIG. 69 shows parameters and contents of a video title set languagesearch pointer shown in FIG. 67;

FIG. 70 shows a structure of a video title set menu language unit shownin FIG. 67;

FIG. 71 shows parameters and contents of video title set menu languageunit information shown in FIG. 70;

FIG. 72 shows parameters and contents of a video title set PGCI searchpointer shown in FIG. 70;

FIG. 73 shows a structure of a navigation pack shown in FIG. 28;

FIG. 74 shows a structure of a video, audio or sub-picture pack shown inFIG. 28;

FIG. 75 shows parameters and contents of presentation controlinformation (PCI) of the navigation pack shown in FIG. 73;

FIG. 76 shows parameters and contents of general information (PCI₋₋ GI)in presentation control information (PCI) shown in FIG. 75;

FIG. 77 shows parameters and contents of disk search information (DSI)of the navigation pack shown in FIG. 73;

FIG. 78 shows parameters and contents of DSI general information (DSI₋₋GI) of disk search information (DSI) shown in FIG. 77;

FIG. 79 shows parameters and contents of synchronous playbackinformation (SYNCI) of video object (VOB) shown in FIG. 77;

FIG. 80 shows an operation flow from the start of the operation of theapparatus to the acquisition of the video title set;

FIG. 81 is a flow chart of a video manager menu search operation;

FIG. 82 shows an example of a video manager menu;

FIG. 83 is a flow chart illustrating a video title set menu searchoperation;

FIG. 84 shows an example of a video title set menu;

FIG. 85 is flow chart illustrating a procedure for acquiring a videotitle set and reproducing a PGC;

FIG. 86 illustrates the relationship between the video object and PGCand a procedure for reproducing the cell;

FIGS. 87A and 87B show examples of a program chain;

FIG. 88 is a block diagram showing an encoder system for encoding videodata and generating a video file;

FIG. 89 is a flow chart illustrating an encoding process shown in FIG.88;

FIG. 90 is a flow chart illustrating a process of forming a video datafile by combining video data, audio data and sub-picture data encoded bythe flow of FIG. 89;

FIG. 91 is a block diagram showing a disk formatter system for recordinga formatted video file on the optical disk;

FIG. 92 is a flow chart for producing logic data to be recorded on thedisk, in the disk formatter shown in FIG. 91;

FIG. 93 is a flow chart for producing, from the logic data, physicaldata to be recorded on the disk; and

FIG. 94 schematically shows a system for transferring the video titleset shown in FIG. 26 through a communication system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, referring to the accompanying drawings, an optical diskreproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentinvention will be explained.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an optical disk reproducing apparatus thatreproduces data from an optical disk associated with the embodiment ofthe present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a disk drive sectionthat drives the optical disk shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows the structureof the optical disk shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

As shown in FIG. 1, the optical disk reproducing apparatus comprises akey/display section 4, a monitor section 6, and a speaker section 8.When the user operates the key/display section 4, this causes therecorded data to be reproduced from an optical disk 10. The recordeddata contains video data, sub-picture data, and audio data, which areconverted into video signals and audio signals. The monitor section 6displays images according to the audio signals and the speaker section 8generates sound according to the audio signals.

It is known that the optical disk 10 is available with variousstructures. For instance, one type of the optical disk 10 is a read-onlydisk on which data is recorded with a high density as shown in FIG. 3.The optical disk 10, as shown in FIG. 3, is made up of a pair ofcomposite layers 18 and an adhesive layer 20 sandwiched between thecomposite disk layers 18. Each of the composite disk layers 18 iscomposed of a transparent substrate 14 and a recording layer or alight-reflecting layer 16. The disk layer 18 is arranged so that thelight-reflecting layer 16 may be in contact with the surface of theadhesive layer 20. A center hole 22 is made in the optical disk 10. Onthe periphery of the center hole 22 on both sides, clamping areas 24 areprovided which are used to clamp the optical disk 10 during itsrotation. When the disk 10 is loaded in the optical disk apparatus, thespindle of a spindle motor 12 shown in FIG. 2 is inserted into thecenter hole 22. As long as the disk is being rotated, it continues to beclamped at the clamping areas 24.

As shown in FIG. 3, the optical disk 10 has an information zone 25around the clamping zone 24 on each side, the information zones allowingthe information to be recorded on the optical disk 10. In eachinformation area 25, its outer circumference area is determined to be alead-out area 26 in which no information is normally recorded, its innercircumference area adjoining the clamping area 24 is determined to be alead-in area 27 in which no information is normally recorded, and thearea between the lead-out area 26 and the lead-in area 27 is determinedto be a data recording area 28.

At the recording layer 16 in the information area 25, a continuousspiral track is normally formed as an area in which data is to berecorded. The continuous track is divided into a plurality of physicalsectors, which are assigned serial numbers. On the basis of the sectors,data is recorded. The data recording area 28 in the informationrecording area 25 is an actual data recording area, in whichreproduction data, video data, sub-picture data, and audio data arerecorded in the form of pits (that is, in the form of changes in thephysical state), as will be explained later. With the read-only opticaldisk 10, a train of pits is formed in advance in the transparentsubstrate 14 by a stamper, a reflecting layer is formed by deposition onthe surface of the transparent substrate 14 in which the pit train isformed, and the reflecting layer serves as the recording layer 16. Inthe read-only optical disk 10, a groove is normally not provided as atrack and the pit train in the surface of the transparent substrate 14serves as a track.

The optical disk apparatus, as shown in FIG. 1, further comprises a diskdrive section 30, a system CPU section 50, a system ROM/RAM section 52,a system processor section 54, a data RAM section 56, a video decodersection 58, an audio decoder section 60, a sub-picture decoder section62, and a D/A and data reproducing section 64.

As shown in FIG. 2, the disk drive section 30 contains a motor drivingcircuit 11, a spindle motor 12, an optical head 32 (i.e., an opticalpickup), a feed motor 33, a focus circuit 36, a feed motor drivingcircuit 37, a tracking circuit 38, a head amplifier 40, and a servoprocessing circuit 44. The optical disk 10 is placed on the spindlemotor 12 driven by the motor driving circuit 11 and is rotated by thespindle motor 12. The optical head 32 that projects a laser beam on theoptical disk 10 is located under the optical disk 10. The optical head32 is placed on a guide mechanism (not shown). The feed motor drivingcircuit 37 is provided to supply a driving signal to the feed motor 33.The motor 33 is driven by the driving signal and moves in and out theoptical head 32 across the radius of the optical disk 10. The opticalhead 32 is provided with an objective lens 34 positioned so as to facethe optical disk 10. The objective lens 34 is moved according to thedriving signal supplied from the focus circuit 36 so as to move alongits optical axis.

To reproduce the data from the above optical disk 10, the optical head32 projects a laser beam on the optical disk 10 via the objective lens34. The objective lens 34 is moved little by little across the radius ofthe optical disk 10 according to the driving signal supplied from thetracking circuit 38. Furthermore, the objective lens 34 is moved alongits optical axis according to the driving signal supplied from thefocusing circuit 36 so that its focal point may be positioned on therecording layer 16 of the optical disk 10. This causes the laser beam toform the smallest beam spot on the spiral track (i.e., the pit train),enabling the beam spot to trace the track. The laser beam is reflectedfrom the recording layer 16 and returned to the optical head 32. Theoptical head 32 converts the beam reflected from the optical disk 10into an electric signal, which is supplied from the optical head 32 tothe servo processing circuit 44 via the head amplifier 40. From theelectric signal, the servo processing circuit 44 produces a focussignal, a tracking signal, and a motor control signal and supplies thesesignals to the focus circuit 36, tracking circuit 38, and motor drivingcircuit 11, respectively.

Therefore, as the objective lens 34 is moved along its optical axis andacross the radius of the optical disk 10, its focal point is positionedon the recording layer 16 of the optical disk 10, and the laser beamforms the smallest beam spot on the spiral track. Furthermore, thespindle motor 12 is rotated by the motor driving circuit 11 at aspecific rotating speed. This allows the beam to track, for example, ata constant linear speed.

The system CPU section 50 of FIG. 1 supplies to the servo processingcircuit 44 a control signal serving as an access signal. In response tothe control signal, the servo processing circuit 44 supplies ahead-moving signal to the feed motor driving circuit 37, which suppliesa driving signal to the feed motor 33. Then, the feed motor 33 isdriven, causing the optical head 32 to move across the radius of theoptical disk 10. Then, the optical head 32 accesses a specific sectorformed at the recording layer 16 of the optical disk 10. The data isreproduced from the specific sector by the optical head 32, which thensupplies it to the head amplifier 40. The head amplifier 40 amplifiesthe reproduced data, which is outputted at the disk drive section 30.

The reproduced data is transferred and stored in the data RAM section 56by the system processor section 54, which is controlled by the systemCPU section 50 operated in accordance with the programs stored in thesystem ROM/RAM section 52. The stored reproduced data is processed inthe system processor section 54, which sorts the data into video data,audio data, and sub-picture data, are supplied to the video decodersection 58, audio decoder section 60, and sub-picture decoder section62, respectively, and are decoded at the respective decoders. The D/Aand data-reproducing section 64 converts the decoded video data, audiodata, and sub-picture data into an analog video signal and an analogaudio signal, and supplies the resulting video signal to the monitor 6and the resulting audio signal to the speaker 8. Then, on the basis ofthe video signal and sup-picture signal, images are displayed on themonitor section 6 and according to the audio signal, sound issimultaneously reproduced at the speaker section 8.

The structure of the logic format of the optical disk apparatus shown inFIG. 1 will now be described. At present, an initial version and a newversion produced by improving the initial version are available as thelogic format of the optical disk apparatus. At first, the logic formatof the initial version will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to11. Then, with reference to FIGS. 15 to 79, the logic format of the newversion will be described. The operation of the optical disk apparatusshown in FIG. 1 will be described in greater detail along with the logicformats of the initial version and new version of the optical disk 10.

A data recording region 28 beginning with the read-in area 27 and endingwith the read-out area 26 on the optical disk 10 shown in FIG. 1 has avolume structure, as shown in FIG. 4. This volume structure comprises ahierarchical volume management information region 70 and a hierarchicalfile region 80. The volume management information region 70 correspondsto logic block numbers 0 to 23 defined according to resulting videosignal to the monitor 6 and the resulting audio signal to the speaker 8.Then, on the basis of the video signal and sup-picture signal, imagesare displayed on the monitor section 6 and according to the audiosignal, sound is simultaneously reproduced at the speaker section 8.

The structure of the logic format of the optical disk apparatus shown inFIG. 1 will now be described. At present, an initial version and a newversion produced by improving the initial version are available as thelogic format of the optical disk apparatus. At first, the logic formatof the initial version will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to11. Then, with reference to FIGS. 15 to 79, the logic format of the newversion will be described. The operation of the optical disk apparatusshown in FIG. 1 will be described in greater detail along with the logicformats of the initial version and new version of the optical disk 10.

A data recording region 28 beginning with the read-in area 27 and endingwith the read-out area 26 on the optical disk 10 shown in FIG. 1 has avolume structure, as shown in FIG. 4. This volume structure comprises ahierarchical volume management information region 70 and a hierarchicalfile region 80. The volume management information region 70 correspondsto logic block numbers 0 to 23 defined according to ISO9660. A systemarea 72 and a volume management area 74 are assigned to the volumemanagement information region 70. The system area 72 is normally anempty area and the contents thereof are not defined. For example, thesystem area 72 is provided for an editor or a provider for editing datato be recorded on the optical disk 10 or a person who provides a title.A system program for achieving the drive of the optical disk apparatusaccording to the editor's intention is stored in the system area 72 onan as-needed basis. The volume management area 74 stores volumemanagement information for managing a disk information file 76 in thefile region 80 (hereinafter referred to simply as "disk information file76") and a file 78 such as a movie file or a music file, i.e. data onthe recording positions, recording capacities, file names, etc. of allfiles.

Files 76 and 78 of file numbers 0 to 99 designated by logic blocknumbers beginning with block number 24 are provided in the file region80. The file 76 with file number 0 is assigned as disk information file76. The files 78 with file numbers from 1 to 99 are assigned as moviefiles or video files, or music files.

As is shown in FIG. 5, the disk information file 76 comprises a filemanagement information area 82 and a menu video data area 84. The filemanagement information area 82 stores a selectable sequence recorded onthe entire optical disk 10, i.e. file management information forselecting a video title or an audio title. The menu video data area 84stores, in units of a menu data cell 90, image data of a menu screen fordisplaying a selection menu of a title, etc. As will be described laterin detail, the menu video data of the menu video data area 84 is dividedinto units of a size necessary for a purpose, i.e. an i-number of menucells 90 sequentially numbered from #1 in the order in which the cells90 are recorded on the menu video data area 84 on the disk 10. The menucells 90 store video data, sub-picture data or audio data relating toselection of a movie title or an audio title, selection of a program ofeach title, etc.

As shown in FIG. 5, the file management information area 82 comprisesthree information areas: a disk structure information area 86 forstoring a disk structure information (DSINF), a menu structureinformation area 87 for storing menu structure information (MSINF), anda menu cell information table (MCIT) 88 for storing cell information.These three information areas are arranged in this order.

The disk structure information area 86 principally stores disk structureinformation such as the number (expressed as parameter DSINF betweennumerals 1 and 99) of movie files and music files, i.e. reproductionfiles 78, recorded in the file region 80 of the disk 10, and the numberof sequences (i.e. sets of video data including video data, audio dataand sub-picture data, as will be described later in detail) beingpresent within each file 78, i.e. the number of titles (expressed asparameter FSINF).

The menu structure information area 87 stores information such as thetotal number (i.e. parameter NOMCEL) of menu cells 90 in the menu videodata area 84 recorded in the disk information file 76 and a start cellnumber (i.e. parameter TMSCEL) of the title menu cells 90 constituting aseries of menu video data for selecting the title present within thedisk.

The menu cell information table 88 is defined as an aggregation of ani-number of cell information areas 89 in which cell informationnecessary for reproduction of the menu cells 90 is stated in the orderof the cell numbers. When the file 76 includes no picture data fordisplaying the menu, the menu information table is not described. Thecell information table 88 stores information relating to the position(i.e. parameter MCSLBN described by an offset logic block number fromthe beginning of the file) of the menu cell 90 in the file 76, and thesize (i.e. parameter MCNLB described by the logic block number), etc.The disk structure information (DSINF) and menu structure information(MSINF) are successively described in the file management informationarea 82. The menu cell information table (MCIT) 88 is aligned at aboundary of logic blocks.

Music data or movie data of one or more titles is stored in the moviefiles or music files 78 corresponding to file numbers 1 to 99. Each file78 has a file structure, as shown in FIG. 6, comprising a filemanagement information area 101 storing information on the datacontained in the file 78, i.e. management information (e.g. addressinformation, presentation control information, etc.), and a video dataarea 102 storing moving video data (including video data, audio data andsub-picture data) in the file 78. In the video data area 102, picturedata is divided in units, like the menu cells 90 of the disk informationfile 76, and the picture data is arranged as a j-number of picture datacells 105.

In general, movie data or audio data of a certain title is expressed asan aggregation of successive sequences 106. For example, the story of amovie is expressed by successive sequences 106 corresponding to"introduction," "development," "turn," and "conclusion." Accordingly,the video data area 102 of each file 78 is defined as an aggregation ofsequences 106, as shown in FIG. 7. Each sequence 106 is expressed by aplurality of video programs 107 corresponding to various scenes of thestory. Each video program 107 comprises a plurality of video data cells105. Each video data cell 105, as shown in FIG. 8, comprises a pluralityof groups of pictures (GOP) in each of which a control pack (DSI) 92, avideo pack 93, a sub-picture pack 95 and an audio pack 98 are combined.The structure of the video cell 105 is substantially the same as that ofthe menu cell 90. The video data 102 consists of movie data, audio data,sub-picture data, etc., which have been compressed according to acompression standard of, e.g. MPEG1 (Moving Picture Expert Group) orMPEG2 and recorded in a data format corresponding to a system layer ofMPEG2. Specifically, the video data 102 is a program stream defined bythe MPEG standard. Further, each of the packs 92, 93, 95 and 98 has apack structure comprising a pack header 97 and a packet 99 correspondingto the pack defined by the MPEG1 or MPEG2.

The file management information area 101 comprises a file managementtable (FMT) 113, a sequence information table (SIT) 114, a cellinformation table (CIT) 115 and a disk search map (DSM).

The video data cells in the video data area 102 are assigned sequentialnumbers from #1 in the order of record on the disk, and the cell numbersand cell information associated with the cell numbers are stated on thecell information table 115. Specifically, the cell information table 115is defined as a group of areas 117 storing a j-number of cellinformation (CI) units which are necessary for reproduction of the videodata cells and are stated in the order of the cell numbers. The cellinformation (CI) includes information on the position, size, playbacktime, etc. of the cell within the file 78.

FIG. 9 shows the contents of the cell information (CI) stored on thecell information table 115. In the cell information (CI), such contentsas start positions and sizes of video cells formed by dividing the videodata in units associated with objects are described as parameters.Specifically, the cell information (CI) comprises cell classificationinformation (CCAT) indicating the content of the video cell, i.e. one ofa movie, a "karaoke" and an interactive menu, cell playback information(CTIME) indicating a total playback time of the video cell, cell startposition information (CSLBN) indicating the start position of the videocell, i.e. the start address, and cell size information (CNLB)indicating the size of the video cell.

The sequence information table 114 is defined as a group of areas 116for storing an i-number of sequence information (SI) units representing,for example, the order of selecting and reproducing the cells 105 in arange designated for each sequence 106. Each sequence information (SI)unit contains information on the order of reproduction of video cells105 recorded in the sequence 106 and on presentation control informationrelating to the reproduction. The sequences 106 are classified into twotypes: a completion-type sequence which is completed by a singlesequence, and a connection-type sequence which is branched and connectedto the next sequence. Connection-type sequences include: aconnection-type head sequence which is a head sequence of video datacorresponding to a multi-story and can be branched and connected to thenext sequence, i.e. a connection-type head sequence in which the storyvaries according to the manner of choice of the story; a connection-typeintermediate sequence which is a branch of another connection-typesequence and is connected to still another sequence; and aconnection-type end sequence which is connected to anotherconnection-type sequence and is completed, i.e. a connection-type endsequence with which the story is completed. Sequence numbers 1 to i areassigned to these sequence information units. The beginning pointinformation of each sequence information unit is written on the filemanagement information table 113.

FIG. 10 shows the contents of the sequence information (SI) unit storedon the sequence information table (SIT) 114 in the file managementinformation area 101 shown in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 10, the sequenceinformation area 116, the order of playback of video cells, the sequenceinformation, etc. are described. The number of the sequence information(SI) corresponds to the number of the sequence. The sequence informationunits are stored on the sequence information table 114 in the order ofthe numbers thereof. The sequence number 1 is a default reproductionsequence. It is desirable that the cells of the sequence be arrangedsuccessively in a designated order. The sequence information 116comprises sequence classification information (SCAT), sequence playbacktime (STIME), connection sequence number information (SNCSQ), sequencenumber list information (SCSQN) and sequence control information(SCINF). The sequence classification information (SCAT) indicates one ofthe completion-type sequence which is completed by reproduction of asingle sequence; the connection-type head sequence which is a headsequence of video data corresponding to a multi-story and can bebranched and connected to the next sequence; the connection-typeintermediate sequence which is a branch of another connection-typesequence and is connected to still another sequence; and theconnection-type end sequence which is connected to anotherconnection-type sequence and is completed. The sequence classificationinformation (SCAT) also indicates the use of the sequence, i.e. one of amovie, a "karaoke" and an interactive menu. The sequence playback time(STIME) indicates the total playback time of the sequence. Theconnection sequence number information (SNCSQ) indicates the number ofsequences which are connectable to a connection-type sequence after thisconnection-type sequence is reproduced. The sequence number listinformation (SCSQN) indicates a list of sequence numbers of theconnectable sequences described in the connection sequence numberinformation (SNCSQ). The sequence control information (SCINF) describesthe order of playback of cells of the sequence, according to which orderthe cells are reproduced and the sequence is executed. A range in whichone of plural cells is selected and reproduced is described as a blockor an aggregation of cells. By designating the block, the sequence ofthe block is executed.

The file management table (FMT) 113 stores various data on the videofile 78. The file management table 113 describes, as shown in FIG. 11,the name of the file (FFNAME) and an identifier (FFID) for determiningwhether or not the file can be reproduced by the optical diskreproducing apparatus in which the optical disk is mounted. The fileidentifier (FFID) is, for example, an identifier for identifying a moviefile. The file management table 113 also describes the start addresses(FSASIT, FSACIT) of the sequence information table (SIT) 114 and cellinformation table (CIT) 115, the number (FNSQ) of sequence information(SI) units and the number (FNCEL) of cell information (CI) units statedin these tables, the start address (FSAESI) of each sequence indicatedby a relative distance from the beginning of the sequence informationtable (CIT) 114, the start address (FSADVD) of the video data in thevideo data area 102, and data attributes or information for reproducingeach data unit. In the start address (FSASIT) of the sequenceinformation table 114, the start address of the sequence informationtable 114 from the beginning of the file 78 to which the file managementtable 113 belongs is described by an offset block logic number. In thesequence information start address (FSAESI), the start address and sizeof each sequence information unit in the sequence information table 114are described with respect to all the sequences in the order of thedescription of the sequences. The start address is described by anoffset byte number from the beginning of the sequence information table114.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the operation for reproducing movie data fromthe optical disk 10 having the logic format shown in FIGS. 4 to 11 willnow be described. In FIG. 1, solid-like arrows between the blocksindicate data buses, and broken-line arrows indicate control buses.

In the optical disk apparatus shown in FIG. 1, when power is supplied,the system CPU section 50 reads out an initial operation program fromthe system ROM/RAM section 52 and activates the disk drive section 30.The disk drive section 30 starts a readout operation from the read-inarea 27 and reads out volume management information from the volumemanagement information area 74 of the volume management informationregion 70 following the read-in area 27. Specifically, the system CPUsection 50 delivers a read command to the disk drive section 30 in orderto read out the volume management information from the volume managementinformation area 74 recorded on a predetermined position on the disk 10set in the disk drive section 30. Thus, the system CPU section 50 readsout the volume management information and temporarily stores theread-out information in the data RAM section 56 via the system processorsection 54. The system CPU section 50 extracts, from the volumemanagement information data sequence stored in the data RAM section 56,necessary management information such as the record position of eachfile, the record capacity, etc. The extracted information is transferredand saved in a predetermined location in the system ROM/RAM section 52.

The system CPU section 50 refers to the previously obtained informationon the record position of each file, the record capacity, etc. in thesystem ROM/RAM section 52, and obtains the disk information file 76corresponding to the file number 0. Specifically, the system CPU section50 refers to the previously obtained information on the record positionof each file, the record capacity, etc. in the system ROM/RAM section52, delivers a read command to the disk drive section 30, reads out filemanagement information of the disk information file 76 with the filenumber 0, and stores the read-out information in the data RAM section 56via the system processor section 54. Similarly, the obtained informationis transferred and saved in a predetermined location in the systemROM/RAM section 52.

The system CPU section 50 makes use of the disk structure information86, menu structure information 87 and menu cell information table 88 ofthe file management information in the disk information file 76 andreproduces and presents on the screen the sequence (title) selectionmenu of the menu video data 84.

The user selects the sequence (title) to be reproduced of the title bythe key/display section 4 on the basis of the selection numbersdisplayed on the menu screen. Thereby, the file number, sequenceinformation and audio stream belonging to the selected sequence arespecified. When the sequence is selected, there are two cases. In onecase, all sequences are selected on the basis of the menu screen. In theother case, a top sequence is selected and when the top sequence hasbeen completed, the next sequence is selected from menu cells includedin the video cell. The selection of the sequence will be describedlater.

The operation until the designated video file 78 is acquired and thevideo data 102 is reproduced will now be described. In order to acquirethe sequence information associated with the designated sequence number,the information on the record position and record capacity of each videofile 78 is obtained from the volume management information 74 and isused. At first, the file management information 101 of the video file 78belonging to the sequence to be reproduced is read out, as in the caseof the disk information file 76, and stored in the data RAM section 56.

The system CPU section 50 obtains the sequence information correspondingto the designated sequence number from the sequence information table114 of the file management information 101 stored in the data RAMsection 56. The obtained data and the cell information 117 in the cellinformation table 115 necessary for reproducing the sequence aretransferred and stored in the system ROM/RAM section 52.

The cell information on the cell which is to be first reproduced isobtained from cell playback order information in the thus acquiredsequence information. On the basis of the video data reproduction startaddress and size data in the cell information, a read command for readfrom a target address is delivered to the disk drive section 30. Thedisk drive section 30 drives the optical disk 10 according to the readcommand and reads the data of the target address from the optical disk10. The read-out data is sent to the system processor section 54. Thesystem processor section 54 temporarily stores the sent data in the dataRAM section 56 and determines the kind of data (video, audio,sub-picture, reproduction information, etc.) on the basis of headerinformation added to the stored data. The data is transferred to thedecoder section 58, 60 or 62 associated with the kind of the data.

Each decoder section 58, 60, 62 decodes the data according to the dataformat and sends the decoded data to the D/A and data reproducingsection 64. The D/A and data reproducing section 64 converts the decodeddigital signal to an analog signal and subjects the analog signal to amixing process. The resultant signal is output to the monitor section 6and speaker section 8.

In the process of determining the kind of data, if data is reproductioninformation representing the reproduction position of video data, etc.,the reproduction data is not transferred and is stored in the data RAMsection 56. The reproduction information is referred to by the systemCPU section 50 on an as-needed basis and is used for monitoring in videodata reproduction.

If the reproduction of one cell is completed, the cell information to bereproduced subsequently is obtained from the cell playback orderinformation in the sequence information and the playback is continued.

The operation of the completion-type sequence, which is an ordinarysequence in the present optical disk reproducing apparatus, will now bedescribed with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. 12 and 13.

If the user designates the first sequence number (Req. NO), thecompletion-type sequence, which specifies the file 78 corresponding tothe designated sequence, is started (step SO). The file managementinformation of the specified file 78 having the file structure as shownin FIG. 6 is read out from the disk 10, and the read-out data istemporarily stored in the data RAM section 56 (step S1). From the filemanagement table (FMT) 113 in the file management information stored inthe data RAM section 56, the system CPU section 50 acquires the totalsequence number (FNSQ), the start address (FSASIT) of the sequenceinformation table (SIT), and the start address (FSAESI) of each sequenceinformation (SI) unit (step S2).

The sequence number (Req. NO) designated by the user is compared withthe total sequence number (FNSQ) in advance, and it is determined if thedesignated sequence number (Req. NO) is out of the range (step S3). Ifthe designated sequence number (Req. NO) is out of the range, theoperation is completed.

The parameters of the start address (FSASIT) of the sequence informationtable (SIT) and the start address (FSAESI) of the sequence information(SI), which were obtained from the sequence information table (SIT) ofthe file management information in step S2, are used to detect thepresence/absence of the sequence information (SI) corresponding to thesequence number (Req. NO) designated by the user, and the targetsequence information (SI) is obtained (step S4). In the start address(FSASIT) of the sequence information table 114, the start address of thesequence information table 114 from the beginning of the file 78, towhich the file management table 113 belongs, is described by an offsetlogic block number. In the sequence information start address (FSAESI),the start address of each sequence information unit in the sequenceinformation table 114 is described by an offset by the number from thebeginning of the sequence information table 114. Thus, the sequencenumber (Req. NO) corresponds to bytes calculated by multiplying theoffset logic block number of the start address (FSASIT) of the sequenceinformation table 114 by 2048 bytes equivalent to one block and addingthe resultant to the offset byte number of the designated sequenceinformation start address (FSAESI). That is, SI(Req.NO)=FSASIT*2048+FSAESI(Req. NO).

From these two addresses (FSASIT, FSAESI), the following parameters inthe sequence information (SI) are obtained: the sequence classification(SCAT), structure cell number (SNCEL), connection sequence number(SNCSQ), connection-destination sequence number (SCSQN) and sequencecontrol information list (SCINF) (step S5). From the sequenceinformation (SI), the first acquired sequence classification (SCAT) isdetermined (step S6). If the determined classification is not thecompletion-type sequence, the operation is completed (step S7).

If the determined result is the completion-type sequence, the cellnumber of the cell to be first reproduced is taken out from thebeginning of the sequence control information (SCINF) (step S8).

From the cell information table (CIT) 115 in the file managementinformation, the cell information (CI) of the associated number isobtained in the order of description from the first reproduced cellnumber.

Based on the cell playback address information, the system CPU section50 reproduces, from the video data area 10 in the file shown in FIG. 6,the target video cell by delivering a read-out/reproduction command tothe optical disk drive section 30 (step S9).

If the reproduction of the cell is completed, it is determined whetherthere is a cell to be reproduced subsequently (i.e. whether the lastcell or not) (step S10). Since the number of structure cells (SNCEL) ofone sequence is described as sequence information (SI), it is possibleto determined whether the reproduced cell is the last one, bydetermining the cell number of the taken-out video cell.

If the taken-out video cell is not the last one, the cell number of thecell to be reproduced subsequently is taken out from the sequencecontrol information (SCINF), and step S9 is executed once again (stepS11).

The operation of the connection-type sequence, which is an interactivesequence in the present optical disk reproducing apparatus, will now bedescribed with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. 14, 15 and 16.

If the user designates the first sequence number (Req. NO), theconnection-type sequence, which specifies the file 78 corresponding tothe designated sequence, is started (step S12). The file managementinformation of the file 78 designated by the user and having the filestructure as shown in FIG. 6 is read out from the disk 10, and theread-out data is temporarily stored in the data RAM section 56 (stepS13). From the file management table (FMT) 113 in the file managementinformation stored in the data RAM section 56, the system CPU section 50acquires the total sequence number (FNSQ), the start address (FSASIT) ofthe sequence information table (SIT) 114, and the start address (FSAESI)of each sequence information (SI) unit (step S14).

The sequence number (Req. NO) designated by the user is compared withthe total sequence number (FNSQ) in advance, and it is determined if thedesignated sequence number (Req. NO) is out of the range (step S15). Ifthe designated sequence number (Req. NO) is out of the range, theoperation is completed.

The parameters of the start address (FSASIT) of the sequence informationtable (SIT) and the start address (FSAESI) of the sequence information(SI), which were obtained from the sequence information table (SIT) ofthe file management information in step S14, are used to detect thepresence/absence of the sequence information (SI) corresponding to thesequence number (Req. NO) designated by the user, and the targetsequence information (SI) is obtained (step S16). As has already beendescribed, in the start address (FSASIT) of the sequence informationtable 114, the start address of the sequence information table 114 fromthe beginning of the file 78, to which the file management table 113belongs, is described by an offset logic block number. In the sequenceinformation start address (FSAESI), the start address of each sequenceinformation unit in the sequence information table 114 is described byan offset by the number from the beginning of the sequence informationtable 114. Thus, the sequence number (Req. NO) corresponds to bytescalculated by multiplying the offset logic block number of the startaddress (FSASIT) of the sequence information table 114 by 2048 bytesequivalent to one block and adding the resultant to the offset bytenumber of the designated sequence information start address (FSAESI).That is,

SI(Req. NO)FSASIT*2048+FSAESI(Req. NO).

From these two addresses (FSASIT, FSAESI), the following parameters inthe sequence information (SI) are obtained: the sequence classification(SCAT), structure cell number (SNCEL), connection sequence number(SNCSQ), connection-destination sequence number (SCSQN) and sequencecontrol information list (SCINP) (step S17). From the sequenceinformation (SI), the first acquired sequence classification (SCAT) isdetermined (step S18). If the determined classification is not thecompletion-type sequence, the operation is completed (step S19).

If the determined result is the connection-type head sequence, a flagfor connection sequence continuation is set (step S20) and the cellnumber of the cell to be first reproduced is taken out from thebeginning of the sequence control information (SCINF) (step S21).

From the cell information table (CIT) 115 in the file managementinformation, the cell information (CI) of the associated number isobtained in the order of description from the first reproduced cellnumber. Based on the cell playback address information, the system CPUsection 50 reproduces, from the video data area 10 in the file shown inFIG. 6, the target video cell by delivering a read-out/reproductioncommand to the optical disk drive section 30 (step S23).

If the reproduction of the cell is completed, it is determined whetherthere is a cell to be reproduced subsequently (i.e. whether the lastcell or not) (step S24). Since the number of structure cells (SNCEL) ofone sequence is described as sequence information (SI), it is possibleto determined whether the reproduced cell is the last one, bydetermining the cell number of the taken-out video cell.

If the taken-out video cell is not the last one, the cell number of thecell to be reproduced subsequently is taken out from the sequencecontrol information (SCINF) (step S22), and step S23 is executed onceagain (step S23).

In step S23, if the taken-out video cell is the last cell, the parametercell classification (CCAT) in the cell information (CI) is checked (stepS25). It is determined whether the cell classification (CCAT) of thelast cell is a menu cell (step S26).

If the cell classification (CCAT) of the last cell is the menu cell, thesystem CPU 50 executes a presentation control and stops the reproductionwhile presenting the menu screen, and the system CPU 50 waits for a menuselection input from the user (step S27).

If the selection input is performed by the user through the key/displaysection 4, the system CPU 50 specifies the connection-destinationsequence number from the aforementioned connection sequence number(SNCSQ) and connection-destination sequence number (SCSQN) (step S28).If the connection-type sequence number is specified, the control isreturned to step S16, and the reproduction of the target sequenceselected by the user on the menu is executed in the aforementionedprocess.

In step S26, if it is determined that the last cell is not the menucell, it is determined by using the sequence classification (SCAT) ofsequence information (SI) whether the currently reproduced, sequence isa connection-type end sequence (step S29). If the determination resultshows that the currently reproduced sequence is not the connection-typeend sequence, the head sequence number described in theconnection-destination sequence number (SCSQN) of the sequenceinformation (SI) is set as connection-destination sequence (step S30)and the control is returned to step S16. Thus, the specified sequence isreproduced with the head sequence number.

In step S29, if the currently reproduced sequence is determined to bethe connection-type end sequence, a series of reproducing operations iscompleted.

In step S19, if the sequence classification (SCAT) obtained from thesequence information (SI) is not the connection-type head sequence, itis then determined if the flag for connection sequence continuation isset (step S31). In step S31, if the flag for connection sequencecontinuation is set, it is then determined whether the reproducedsequence is a connection-type intermediate sequence (step S32). In stepS32, if the sequence is determined to be the intermediate sequence, thecontrol returns to step S21 and the aforementioned step is executed.

In step S32, if the sequence is not determined to be intermediatesequence, it is then determined whether the sequence is theconnection-type end sequence (step S33).

In step S33, if the sequence is determined to be the end sequence, theflag for continuation is cleared, and the control returns to step S21 toexecute the aforementioned step (step S34).

In step S33, if the sequence is not determined to be the end sequence,the operation is completed.

In step S31, if the continuation flag is not set, so the operation iscompleted.

The flow charts of FIGS. 17, 18 and 19 show an example of an operationwherein in the case where a selection process of a sequence numberselected by the user is registered in advance in a memory, etc. theassociated sequence is automatically reproduced according to theregistered content at the time of sequence reproduction. The operationof sequence reproduction according to the registered content of thesequence will now be described with reference to FIGS. 17, 18 and 19.

At first, the user selects a connection sequence number (Req. NO) on themenu screen and inputs the order of sequence reproduction through thekey/display section 4. Then, a connection sequence number relating tothe order of sequence reproduction is stored on a memory table at apredetermined location in the system ROM/RAM section 52. Thus, theoperation for the connection-type sequence begins (step S41). Like theabove-described operation flow of the connection-type sequence, the filemanagement information of the file 78 designated by the user and havingthe file structure as shown in FIG. 6 is read out from the disk 10, andthe read-out data is temporarily stored in the data RAM section 56 (stepS42). From the file management table (FMT) 113 in the file managementinformation stored in the data RAM section 56, the system CPU section 50acquires the total sequence number (FNSQ), the start address (FSASIT) ofthe sequence information table (SIT) 114, and the start address (FSAESI)of each sequence information (SI) unit (step S43).

The head sequence number (Req. NO) of the series of sequence numbers(Req. NO) selected in advance and stored on the memory table is takenout from this memory table (step S44).

The parameters of the start address (FSASIT) of the sequence informationtable (SIT) and the start address (FSAESI) of the sequence information(SI), which were obtained from the sequence information table (SIT) ofthe file management information in step S43, are used to detect thepresence/absence of the sequence information (SI) corresponding to thesequence number (Req. NO) designated by the user, and the targetsequence information (SI) is obtained (step S45). As has already beendescribed, in the start address (FSASIT) of the sequence informationtable 114, the start address of the sequence information table 114 fromthe beginning of the file 78, to which the file management table 113belongs, is described by an offset logic block number. In the sequenceinformation start address (FSAESI), the start address of each sequenceinformation unit in the sequence information table 114 is described byan offset by the number from the beginning of the sequence informationtable 114. Thus, the sequence number (Req. NO) corresponds to bytescalculated by multiplying the offset logic block number of the startaddress (FSASIT) of the sequence information table 114 by 2048 bytesequivalent to one block and adding the resultant to the offset bytenumber of the designated sequence information start address (FSAESI).That is,

SI(Req. NO)=FSASIT*2048+FSAESI(Req. NO).

From these two addresses (FSASIT, FSAESI), the following parameters inthe sequence information (SI) are obtained: the sequence classification(SCAT), structure cell number (SNCEL), connection sequence number(SNCSQ), connection-destination sequence number (SCSQN) and sequencecontrol information list (SCINF) (step S46). From the sequenceinformation (SI), the first acquired sequence classification (SCAT) isdetermined (step S47). If the determined classification is not thecompletion-type sequence, the operation is completed (step S48).

If the determined result is the connection-type head sequence, a flagfor connection sequence continuation is set (step S49) and the cellnumber of the cell to be first reproduced is taken out from thebeginning of the sequence control information (SCINF) (step S50).

From the cell information table (CIT) 115 in the file managementinformation, the cell information (CI) of the associated number isobtained in the order of description from the first reproduced cellnumber. Based on the cell playback address information, the system CPUsection 50 reproduces, from the video data area 10 in the file shown inFIG. 6, the target video cell by delivering a read-out/reproductioncommand to the optical disk drive section 30 (step S51).

If the reproduction of the cell is completed, it is determined whetherthere is a cell to be reproduced subsequently (i.e. whether the lastcell or not) (step S52). Since the number of structure cells (SNCEL) ofone sequence is described as sequence information (SI), it is possibleto determined whether the reproduced cell is the last one, bydetermining the cell number of the taken-out video cell.

If the taken-out video cell is not the last one, the cell number of thecell to be reproduced subsequently is taken out from the sequencecontrol information (SCINF), and step S51 is executed once again (stepS53).

In step S52, if the taken-out video cell is the last cell, the parametercell classification (CCAT) in the cell information (CI) is checked (stepS54). It is determined whether the cell classification (CCAT) of thelast cell is a menu cell (step S55).

If the cell classification (CCAT) of the last cell is the menu cell, thesystem CPU 50 skips the menu screen since the user has already selectedthe subsequent sequence (step S56).

The subsequent sequence number (Req. NO) of the series of sequencenumbers (Req. NO) selected in advance and stored on the memory table istaken out from this memory table (step S57). It is determined whetherthe sequence registered on the memory table has been completed (stepS58). If all sequences registered have been completed, the reproducingoperation is finished.

If there is still a subsequent sequence, the system CPU 50 checkswhether there is the designated connection-destination sequence numberfrom the aforementioned connection sequence number (SNCSQ) andconnection-destination sequence number (SCSQN) (step S59). If there isno connection-destination sequence, the reproducing operation isfinished. If there is still a connection-destination sequence, thecontrol returns to step S45 and the reproduction of the target sequenceselected by the user at the initialization is executed in theabove-described process.

In step S48, if the sequence classification (SCAT) obtained from thesequence information (SI) is not the connection-type head sequence, itis then determined if the flag for connection sequence continuation isset (step S61). In step S61, if the flag for the connection sequencecontinuation is set, it is then determined whether the reproducedsequence is a connection-type intermediate sequence (step S62). In stepS62, if the sequence is determined to be the intermediate sequence, thecontrol returns to step S50 and the aforementioned step is executed.

In step S62, if the sequence is not determined to be intermediatesequence, it is then determined whether the sequence is theconnection-type end sequence (step S63).

In step S63, if the sequence is determined to be the end sequence, theflag for continuation is cleared, and the control returns to step S50 toexecute the aforementioned step (step S64).

In step S63, if the sequence is not determined to be the end sequence,the operation is completed.

In step S63, if the continuation flag is not set, the operation iscompleted.

It is possible to prepare a disk in which video data of a video cellimmediately before the last cell, excluding the menu cell, of the videocell group constituting the aforementioned sequence is accompanied withinformation indicating in advance to the user the presence of pluralsequences selected after the video data is reproduced. Thereby, thechange of the story development can be indicated to the user in theautomatic reproduction by the program, as illustrated in FIGS. 17, 18and 19.

Encoded video data, audio data and sub-picture data (Com Video, CompAudio, Comp Sub-pict), which will be described later, are combined andconverted to a video data file structure. In the step of forming thevideo data file, one or more sequences are prepared. In the step offorming the sequences, sequence information and cell playback order areacquired. The step of acquiring the sequence information and cellplayback order will be described in greater detail with reference toFIGS. 20 to 25. FIGS. 20 and 21 show the relationship between the cellinformation (CI) associated with the reproduction order of the videocells 105 and the sequence information (SI) associated with sequence106. FIGS. 20 and 21 are halves of a single drawing. FIGS. 23, 24 and 25are flow charts illustrating a process of forming the sequence from thesequence information (SI) and cell information (CI) shown in FIGS. 20and 21.

Now consider the case of forming a sequence (Seq-n) in FIGS. 20 and 21.Video data is divided into units of a necessary size in accordance withobjects, thereby preparing plural video cells (step S90 in FIG. 23). Instep S92, information items of each of the prepared video cells, i.e.size (Sna) of each video cell, playback time (Tna), contentclassification (Cna) and associated language code (Lna), are acquired ascell information (CI) units. In step 93, the cell information (CI) unitsare arranged on a table in the order of description, and a cellinformation table (CIT) is formed. In step S94, from the cellinformation table (CIT), cell numbers (#n, #n+1, #n+2) of cellsconstituting the sequence (Seq-n) are taken out, and the number ofsequence structure cells of the sequence is determined. A sequenceplayback time is found from the total time (Tna+Tnb+Tnc) of thestructure cells. In step S95, the sequence structure cell numbers arestored on the cell information table (CIT) from #1 in the order ofreproduction, thereby forming a cell playback order list for determiningthe sequence reproduction order. Thus, the cell playback order list, asshown in FIGS. 22A to 22D, is formed.

The information items on the sequence structure cell number, sequenceplayback time and cell playback order list are combined to form sequenceinformation (SI)#n. Then, in step S96, the next sequence is formedsimilarly. In step S97, if there is no sequence to be formed, numbersare assigned to all sequence information (SI) units from #1 in the orderof description and the numbered sequence information (SI) units arestored on the sequence information table (SIT). Thus, the formation ofthe sequence is completed. Finally, the data items on the total sequencenumber, the start position of the sequence information table, the startposition of each sequence information unit and the start position of thecell information table are stored at predetermined locations on the filemanagement table. Thus, the file is formed.

FIGS. 24 and 25 are flow charts illustrating a process of forming asequence including the number of connection sequences connectable aftersequence reproduction and the connection-destination sequence numberscorresponding to the connection sequences. Like the flow of FIG. 23, instep S103, information items of each of the prepared video cells, i.e.size (Sna) of each video cell, playback time (Tna), contentclassification (Cna) and associated language code (Lna), are acquired ascell information (CI) units. In step 104, the cell information (CI)units are arranged on a table in the order of description, and a cellinformation table (CIT) is formed. In step S105, from the cellinformation table (CIT), cell numbers (#n, #n+1, #n+2) of cellsconstituting the sequence (Seq-n) are taken out, and the number ofsequence structure cells of the sequence is determined. A sequenceplayback time is found from the total time (Tna+Tnb+Tnc) of thestructure cells. In addition, the sequence type is input from theterminal. Specifically, the sequence type indicates whether the sequenceis a completion-type one or a connection-type one, and indicates, if thesequence is the connection-type one, whether the sequence is a head one,an intermediate one, or an end one. In step 107, if the sequence is ahead one or an intermediate one, the number of connection sequenceswhich are reproducible and connectable to the sequence is input. In stepS109, the connection-destination sequence numbers associated with theinput connection sequences is input and these information items areadded to the sequence information (SI). Thus, the sequence is formed(step S110). If the sequence is a completion-type end one orconnection-type end one, the number of connection sequences is set tozero in step S108 and the sequence information (SI) is formed withoutdescribing information indicating the connection-destination sequencenumber. In step S106, the sequence structure cell numbers are stored onthe cell information table (CIT) from #1 in the order of reproduction,thereby forming a cell playback order list for determining the sequencereproduction order.

The information items on the sequence structure cell number, sequenceplayback time and cell playback order list are combined to form sequenceinformation (SI)#n. Then, in step S111, the next sequence is formedsimilarly. In step S112, if there is no sequence to be formed, numbersare assigned to all sequence information (SI) units from #1 in the orderof description and the numbered sequence information (SI) units arestored on the sequence information table (SIT). Thus, the formation ofthe sequence is completed.

In FIGS. 20 and 21, for example, if the sequence (Seq-A) of sequencenumber #1 is a connection-type sequence connectable immediately afterand is connected to either of the sequence (Seq-B) of sequence number #2and sequence (Seq-C) of sequence number #3, the successive cellsconstitutes the sequence (Seq-A) and the reproduced last cell (videocell Cel-E in this case) is provided with a menu image for sequenceselection. Thus, the sequence (Seq-A) of sequence number #1 is formed.

A theoretical format for a new version which is different from theinitial version shown in FIGS. 4 to 11 and is obtained by improving theinitial version is explained with reference to FIGS. 26 to 73. Thedetail operation of the optical disk apparatus shown in FIG. 1 based onthe theoretical format for the new version is explained after thetheoretical format for the new version which is obtained by improvingthe initial version is explained.

FIG. 26 shows the structure of the theoretical format for the newversion which is obtained by improving the initial version. The datarecording area 28 between the lead-in area 27 and the lead-out area 26on the optical disk of FIG. 1 has a volume and file structure as shownin FIG. 26. The structure has been determined in conformity to specificlogic format standards, such as micro UDF or ISO 9660. The datarecording area 28 is physically divided into a plurality of sectors asdescribed earlier. These physical sectors are assigned serial numbers.In the following explanation, a logical address means a logical sectornumber (LSN) as determined in micro UDF or ISO 9660. Like a physicalsector, a logical sector contains 2048 bytes. The numbers (LSN) oflogical sectors are assigned consecutively in ascending order as thephysical sector number increments.

As shown in FIG. 26, the volume and file structure is a hierarchicalstructure and contains a volume and file structure area 270, a videomanager (VMG) 271, at least one video title set (VTS) 272, and otherrecorded areas 273. These areas are partitioned at the boundariesbetween logical sectors. As with a conventional CD, a logical sector isdefined as a set of 2048 bytes. Similarly, a logical block is defined asa set of 2048 bytes. Therefore, a single logical sector is defined as asingle logical block.

The volume and file structure area 270 corresponds to a management areadetermined in micro UDF or ISO 9660. According to the description in themanagement area, the video manager 271 is stored in the system ROM/RAMsection 52. As explained with reference to FIG. 27, the information usedto manage video title sets is described in the video manager, which iscomposed of a plurality of files 274, starting with file #0. In eachvideo title set (VTS) 272, compressed video data, compressed audio data,compressed sub-picture data, and the playback information about thesedata items are stored as explained later. Each video title set iscomposed of a plurality of files 274. The number of video title sets islimited to 99 maximum. Furthermore, the number of files 74 (from File #jto File #j+12) constituting each video title set is 12 at most. Thesefiles are also partitioned at the boundaries between logical sectors.

In the other recorded areas 273, the information capable of using thevideo title sets 272 is recorded. The other recorded areas 273 are notnecessarily provided.

As shown in FIG. 27, the video manager 271 contains at least three itemseach corresponding to individual files 274. Specifically, the videomanager 271 is made up of video manager information (VMGI) 275, a videoobject set (VMGM₋₋ VOBS) 276 for video manager menu, and backup (VMGI₋₋BUP) 277 of video manager information. Here, the volume managerinformation (VMGI) 275 and the backup (VMGI₋₋ BUP) 277 of video managerinformation are determined to be indispensable items, and the videoobject set (VMGM₋₋ VOBS) 276 for video manager menu is determined to bean optional item. In the video object set (VMGM-VOBS) 276 for VMGM, thevideo data, audio data, and sup-picture data for a menu of the volumesof the optical disk managed by the video manager 271 are stored.

As in the case of video reproduction which will be explained later, thevolume name of the optical disk and the explanation of the audio andsub-picture accompanied by the display of the volume name are displayedby the video object set (VMGM₋₋ VOBS) 276 for VMGM, and selectable itemsare displayed by the sub-picture. If video data of all matches a boxer Xhad fought until he won the world championship is reproduced by thevideo object set (VMGM₋₋ VOBS) 276, the fighting pose of Boxer X will bedisplayed along with the volume name showing his glorious fightinghistory, the theme song for him will be generated, and his fightinghistory will be displayed by the sub-picture. Further, questions aremade to the user as to in which language (English, Japanese, or anyother language) the narration should be presented, and as to in whichother language the subtitle should be presented by the subpicture. Thus,the video object set (VMGM₋₋ VOBS) 276 for VMGM enables the user toenjoy seeing any match Boxer X has fought, while listing to thenarration in, for example, English and reading the subtitle in, forexample, Japanese.

The structure of a video object set (VOBS) 282 will be described withreference to FIG. 28. FIG. 28 shows an example of a video object set(VOBS) 282. The video object set (VOBS) 282 is provided in three types276, 295 and 296 for two menus and a title. Specifically, in the videoobject set (VOBS) 282, a video title set (VTS) 272 contains a videoobject set (VTSM₋₋ VOBS) 295 for a menu of video title sets and a videoobject set (VTSTT₋₋ VOBS) for the titles of at least one video titleset, as will be explained later. Each video object 282 set has the samestructure except that their uses differ.

As shown in FIG. 28, a video object set (VOBS) 282 is defined as a setof one or more video objects (VOB). The video objects 283 in a videoobject set (VOBS) 282 are used for the same application. A video objectset (VOBS) 282 for menus is usually made up of a single video object(VOB) 283 and stores the data used to display a plurality of menuscreens. In contrast, a video object set (VTSTT₋₋ VOBS) 282 for titlesets is usually composed of a plurality of video objects (VOB) 283.

Taking the boxing match as example, a video object (VOB) 283 correspondsto the video data of each match played by Boxer X. Specifying aparticular video object (VOB) enables, for example, Boxer X's eleventhmatch for a world championship to be reproduced on a video. The videoobject set (VTSM₋₋ VOBS) 95 for a menu of the video title sets 272contains the menu data for the matches played by boxer X. According tothe presentation of the menu, a particular match, for example, Boxer X'seleventh match for a world championship, can be specified. In the caseof a usual single story movie, one video object 283 (VOB) corresponds toone video object set (VOBS) 282. One video stream is completed with onevideo object set (VOBS) 282. In the case of a collection of animatedcartoons or an omnibus movie, a plurality of video streams eachcorresponding to individual stories are provided in a single videoobject set (VOBS) 282. Each video stream is stored in the correspondingvideo object. Accordingly, the audio stream and sub-picture streamrelated to the video stream are also completed with each video object(VOB) 283.

An identification number (IDN#j) is assigned to a video object (VOB)283. By the identification number, the video object (VOB) 283 can beidentified. A single video object (VOB) 283 is made up of one or morecells 284. Although a usual video stream is made up of a plurality ofcells, a menu video stream, or a video object (VOB) 283 may be composedof one cell. A cell is likewise assigned an identification number (C₋₋IDN#j). By the identification number (C₋₋ IDN#j), the cell 284 isidentified.

As shown in FIG. 28, each cell 284 is composed of one or more videoobject units (VOBU) 285, usually a plurality of video object units(VOBU) 285. A video object unit (VOBU) 285 is defined as a pack trainhaving a single navigation pack (NAV pack) 286 at its head.Specifically, a video object unit (VOBU) 285 is defined as a set of allthe packs recorded, starting at a navigation pack (NAV pack) toimmediately in front of the next navigation pack. The playback time ofthe video object unit (VOBU) corresponds to the playback time of thevideo data made up of one or more GOPs (Group of Pictures) contained inthe video object (VOBU). The playback time is set at 0.4 seconds or moresecond and less than one second. In the MPEG standard, a single GOP isset at, usually, 0.5 seconds; it is compressed screen data forreproducing about 15 screens during that period.

When a video object unit includes video data as shown in FIG. 28, morethan one GOP composed of video packs (V packs) 288, a sup-picture pack(SP pack) 290, and an audio pack (A pack) 291 all determined in the MPEGstandard, are arranged to produce a video data stream. Regardless of thenumber of GOPs, a video object unit (VOBU) 285 is determined on thebasis of the playback time of a GOP. The video object always has anavigation pack (NAV pack) 286 at its head. Even when the playback dataconsists only of audio and/or sub-picture data, it will be constructedusing the video object unit as a unit. Specifically, even if a videoobject unit is constructed only of audio packs, the audio packs to bereproduced within the playback time of the video object unit to whichthe audio data belongs will be stored in the video object unit, as withthe video object of video data.

The video manager 271 will be explained with reference to FIG. 27. Thevideo management information 75 placed at the head of the video manager271 contains information on the video manager itself, the informationused to search for titles, the information used to reproduce the videomanager menu, and the information used to manage the video title sets(VTS) 272, such as the attribute information on video titles. The volumemanagement information contains at least three tables 278, 279 and 280in the order shown in FIG. 27. Each of these tables 278, 279 and 280 isaligned with the boundaries between logical sectors. A first table, avideo manger information management table (VMGI₋₋ MAT) 278, is amandatory table. Written in the first table are the size of the videomanager 271, the start address of each piece of the information in thevideo manger 271, and the start address of and the attribute informationabout the video object set (VMGM₋₋ VOBS) 276 for a video manager menu.As explained later, the attribute information includes the videoattribute information, the audio attribute information, and thesub-picture attribute information. According to these pieces ofattribute information, the modes of the decoders 58, 60 and 62 arechanged, thereby enabling the video object set (VMGM₋₋ VOBS) 276 to bereproduced in a suitable mode.

Written in a second table of the video manager 271, i.e., a title searchpointer table (TT₋₋ SRPT) 279, are the start addresses of the videotitles stored on the optical disk that are selectable according to atitle number entered from the key/display section 4 on the apparatus.

Described in a third table of the video manager 271 are a video titleset attribution table (VTS₋₋ ATRT) 280, the attribute informationdetermined in the video title set (VTS) 272 in the volumes of theoptical disk. Specifically, in this table, the following items aredescribed as attribute information: the number of video title sets (VTS)272, video title set (VTS) 272 numbers, video attributes. Such as avideo data compression scheme, audio stream attributes, such as an audiocoding mode, and sub-picture attributes, such as the type of sup-picturedisplay.

The details of the contents of the volume management informationmanagement table (VMGI₋₋ MAT) 278, title search pointer table (TT₋₋SRPT) 278, and video title set attribute table (VTS₋₋ ATRT) 280 will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 29 to 43.

As shown in FIG. 29, described in the volume management informationmanagement table (VMGI₋₋ MAT) 278 are an identifier (VMG₋₋ ID) for thevideo manager 271, the size of video management information in thenumber of logical blocks (a single logical block contains 2048 bytes, asexplained earlier), the version number (VERN) related to the standardfor the optical disk, commonly known as a digital versatile disk(digital multipurpose disk, hereinafter, referred to as a DVD), and thecategory (VMG₋₋ CAT) of the video manger 271.

Described in the category (VMG₋₋ CAT) of the video manager 271, a flagindicating whether or not the DVD video directory inhibits copying.Further described in the table (VMGI₋₋ MAT) 278 are a volume setidentifier (VLMS₋₋ ID), the number of video title sets (VTS₋₋ Ns), theidentifier for a provider supplying the data to be recorded on the disk(PVR₋₋ ID), the start address (VMGM₋₋ VOBS₋₋ SA) of the video object set(VMGM₋₋ VOBS) 276 for a video manager menu, the end address (VMGI₋₋MAT₋₋ EA) of a volume manager information management table (VMGI₋₋ MAT)278, and the start address (TT₋₋ SRPT₋₋ SA) of a title search pointertable (TT₋₋ SRPT). If the video object set (VMGM₋₋ VOBS) 295 for the VMGmenu is absent, "00000000h" will be described in its start address(VMGM₋₋ VOBS₋₋ SA). The end address (VMGI₋₋ MAT₋₋ EA) of VMG₋₋ MAT 278is described by the number of bytes, relative to the head byte of VMGI₋₋MAT 278. The start address (TT₋₋ SRPT₋₋ SA) of the TT₋₋ SRPT 279 isdescribed by the number of logical blocks, relative to the head logicalblock of VMGI 275.

Furthermore, in the table 278 the start address (VTS₋₋ ATRT₋₋ SA) of theattribute table (VTS₋₋ ATRT) of video title sets 272 (VTS) isrepresented by the number of bytes, relative to the first byte in theVMGI manager table (VMGI₋₋ MAT) 271. Also described in the table 278 isthe video attribute (VMGM₋₋ V₋₋ AST) of the video manager menu (VMGM)video object set 276. Further described in the table 278 are the number(VMGM₋₋ AST₋₋ Ns) of audio streams in the video manager menu (VMGM), theattributes (VMGM₋₋ AST₋₋ ATR) of audio streams in the video manager menu(VMGM), the number (VMGM₋₋ SPST₋₋ Ns) of sub-picture streams in thevideo manager menu (VMGM), and the attributes (VMGM₋₋ SPST₋₋ ATR) ofsub-picture streams in the video manager menu (VMGM). When the videomanager menu (VMGM) is not present, "00000000h" is described in thevideo manager menu PGCI unit table (VMGM₋₋ PGCI₋₋ UT) 248.

An explanation of the structure shown in FIG. 27 will be resumed. In thetitle search pointer table (TT₋₋ SRPT) 279 of FIG. 27, the title searchpointer table information (TSPTI) is first descried as shown in FIG. 30.Then, as many title search pointers (TT₋₋ SRP) for input numbers 1 to n(n<=99) as are needed are described consecutively. When only theplayback data for a single title, for example, only the video data for asingle title, is stored in a volume of the optical disk, only a singletitle search pointer (TT₋₋ SRP) 293 is described in the table (TT₋₋SRPT) 279.

The title search pointer table information (TSPTI) 292 contains thenumber of entry program chains (EN₋₋ PGC₋₋ Ns) and the end address (TT₋₋SRPT₋₋ EA) of the title search pointer (TT-SRP) 293 as shown in FIG. 31.The address (TT₋₋ SRPT₋₋ EA) is represented by the number of bytes,relative to the first byte in the title search pointer table (TT₋₋ SRPT)279. As shown in FIG. 32, described in each title search pointer (TT₋₋SRP) are: a video title set number (VTSN), the number of parts of title(TT₋₋ Ns), the title in the video title set searched by the title searchpointer (TT₋₋ SRP), and the video start address (VTS₋₋ SA) of the videotitle set 272. The video start address (VTS₋₋ SA).

The contents of the title search pointer (TT₋₋ SRP) 293 specifies avideo title set to be reproduced and a program chain (PGC) as well as alocation in which the video title set 272 is to be stored. The startaddress (VTS₋₋ SA) of the video title set 272 is represented by thenumber of logical blocks in connection with the title set specified bythe video title set number (VTSN).

A program chain 287 is defined as a set of programs 289 that reproducethe story of a title. In the case of a program chain for a menu, stillpicture programs or moving picture programs are reproduced one afteranother to complete a menu for a single title. In the case of a programchain for a title set, a program chain corresponds to a chapter in astory consisting of programs and the movie of a single title iscompleted by reproducing program chains consecutively. As shown in FIG.33, each program 289 is defined as a set of aforementioned cells 284arranged in the order in which they are to be reproduced. To reproducethe program chain 287, a pre-navigation command (PRE₋₋ NV₋₋ CMD) 322 isexecuted to reproduce the programs 289 stored in the program chain 287.Upon completion of the execution of the command 322, a post command 324is executed. Further, an inter-cell navigation command 326 is providefor a cell 284, if necessary, to control the reproduction in the program289. The pre-navigation command 322, post command 324 and inter-cellnavigation command 326 will be explained later in detail, with referenceto FIG. 61.

In the video manager menu PGCI unit table (VMGM₋₋ PGCI₋₋ UT) 280 shownin FIG. 27, video manager menu PGCI unit table information (VMGM₋₋PGCI₋₋ UTI) 250 is first described as shown in FIG. 34. Video managermenu language unit search pointers (VMGM₋₋ LU₋₋ SRP) 251 aresuccessively described in the same numbers as the number n of languages.And the video manager menu language unit (VMGM₋₋ LU) 252 searched for bythe search pointer is described. In this case, it is supposed that themenu defined by the video manager menu language unit (VMGM₋₋ LU) mustcontain only one PGC.

In the video manager menu PGCI unit table information (VMGM₋₋ PGCI₋₋UTI) 280, the number (VMGM₋₋ LU₋₋ Ns) of VMGM language units (VMGM₋₋ LU)and the end address (VMGM₋₋ PGCI₋₋ UT₋₋ EA) of the VMGM₋₋ PGCI unittable (VMGM₋₋ PGCI₋₋ UT) 280 are described as shown in FIG. 35. In eachof n video manager menu language unit search pointers (VMGM₋₋ LU₋₋ SRP)251 prepared for respective languages, the language code (VMGM₋₋ LCD) ofthe video manager menu and the start address (VMGM₋₋ LU₋₋ SA) of thelanguage unit (VMGM₋₋ LU) of the video manager menu (VMGM) are describedas shown in FIG. 36. The end address (VMGM₋₋ PGCI₋₋ UT₋₋ EA) of theVMGM₋₋ PGCI₋₋ UT 280 and the start address (VMGM₋₋ LU₋₋ SA) of theVMGM₋₋ LU 252 are described by use of the logical block number from thehead byte of the VMGM₋₋ PGCI unit table (VMGM₋₋ PGCI₋₋ UT) 280.

In each of n VMGM language units (VMGM₋₋ LU) 252 prepared for therespective languages, the video manager menu language unit information(VMGM₋₋ LUI) 253 and VMGM₋₋ PGCI search pointers (VMGM₋₋ PGCI₋₋ SRP) ofa number corresponding to the number of menu program chains are providedas shown in FIG. 37, and VMGM₋₋ PGC information items (VMGM₋₋ PGCI) 255searched for by the search pointer and corresponding in number to theprogram chains for menu are provided.

In each language unit information (VMGM₋₋ LUI) 253, the number (VMGM₋₋PGCI₋₋ Ns) of VMGM₋₋ PGCIs and the end address (VMGM₋₋ LUI₋₋ EA) of thelanguage unit information (VMGM₋₋ LUI) are described as shown in FIG.38. Further, in each VMGM₋₋ PGCI search pointer (VMGM₋₋ PGCI₋₋ SRP), theVMGM₋₋ PGC category (VMGM₋₋ PGC₋₋ CAT) and the start address (VMGM₋₋PGCI₋₋ SA) of VMGM₋₋ PGCI are described as shown in FIG. 39. The endaddress (VMGM₋₋ LUI₋₋ EA) of VMGM₋₋ LUI and the start address (VMGM₋₋PGCI₋₋ SA) of VMGM₋₋ PGCI are described by use of the relative logicalblock number from the head byte of VMGMLU. As the VMGM₋₋ PGC category(VMGM₋₋ PGC₋₋ CAT), information indicating that the program chain is anentry program chain or title menu is described.

As shown in FIG. 40, the video title set attribute table (VTS₋₋ ART) 280describing the attribute information on the video title set (VTS) 272(shown in FIG. 27) contains video title set attribute table information(VTS₋₋ ATRTI) 266, n video title set attribute search pointers (VTS₋₋ATR₋₋ SRP) 267, and n video title set attributes (VTS₋₋ ARTR) 268, whichare arranged in that order. The video title set attribute tableinformation (VTS₋₋ ATRTI) 266 contains information on the table 280. Inthe video title set attribute search pointers (VTS₋₋ ATR₋₋ SRP) 267,description is made in the order corresponding to the title sets #1 to#n. Similarly, description is made of the pointers for searching for thevideo title set attributes (VTS₋₋ ATR) 268 written in the ordercorresponding to the title sets #1 to #n. Described in each of the videotitle set attributes (VTS₋₋ ATR) 268 is the attribute of thecorresponding title set (VTS).

More specifically, the video title set attribute information (VTS₋₋ATRTI) 266 contains a parameter (VTS₋₋ Ns) for the number of videotitles and a parameter (VTS₋₋ ATRT₋₋ EA) for the end address of thevideo title set attribute table (VTS₋₋ ART) 280 as shown in FIG. 41. Asshown in FIG. 42, in each video title set attribute search pointer(VTS₋₋ ATR₋₋ SRP) 267 there is described a parameter (VTS₋₋ ATR₋₋ SA)for the start address of the corresponding video title set attribute(VTS₋₋ ATR) 268. As shown in FIG. 43, the video title set attribute(VTS₋₋ ATR) 268 contains a parameter (VTS₋₋ ATR₋₋ EA) for the endaddress of the video title set attribute (VTS₋₋ ATR) 268, a parameter(VTS₋₋ CAT) for the category of the corresponding video title set, and aparameter (VTS₋₋ ATRI) for attribute information on the correspondingvideo title set. Because the attribute information on the video titleset contains the same contents of the attribute information on the videotitle set described in the video title set information management table(VTS₋₋ MAT), which will be explained later with reference to FIGS. 31and 32, explanation of it will be omitted.

The structure of the logic format of the video title set (VTS) 272 shownin FIG. 27 will be explained with reference to FIG. 44. In each videotitle set (VTS) 272, four items 294, 295, 296 and 297 are described inthe order shown in FIG. 44. Each video title set (VTS) 272 is made up ofone or more video titles having common attributes. The video title setinformation (VTSI) contains the management information on the videotitles 272, including information on playback of the video object set296, information on playback of the title set menu (VTSM), and attributeinformation on the video object sets 272.

Each video title set (VTS) 272 includes the backup 297 of the videotitle set information (VTSI) 294. Between the video title setinformation (VTSI) 294 and the backup (VTSI₋₋ BUP) of the information, avideo object set (VTSM₋₋ VOBS) 295 for video title set menus and a videoobject set (VTSTT₋₋ VOBS) 296 for video title set titles are arranged.Both video object sets (VTSM₋₋ VOBS and VTSTT₋₋ VOBS) 295 and 296 havethe structure shown in FIG. 28, as explained earlier.

The video title set information (VTSI) 294, the backup (VTSI₋₋ BUP) 297of the information, and the video object set (VTSTT₋₋ VOBS) 296 forvideo title set titles are items indispensable to the video title sets272. The video object set (VTSM₋₋ VOBS) 295 for video title set menus isan option provided as the need arises.

The video title set information (VTSI) 294 consists of seven tables 298,299, 300, 301, 311, 312 and 313 as shown in FIG. 44. These seven tables298, 299, 300, 301, 311, 312 and 313 are forced to align with theboundaries between logical sectors.

The video title set information management table (VTSI₋₋ MAT) 298, i.e.,the first table, is a mandatory table. Described in the table 298 arethe size of the video title set (VTS) 272, the start address of eachpiece of information in the video title set (VTS) 272, and theattributes of the video object sets (VOBS) 282 in the video title set(VTS) 272.

The video title set part-of-title search pointer table (VTS₋₋ PTT₋₋SRPT) 299, which is the second table, is mandatory table. It is in thistable that the selectable video titles, that is, program chain (PGC) orprograms (PG) contained in the selectable video title set 272 aredescried in accordance with the number that the user has entered fromthe key/display section 4. Entering the desired one of the entry numberslisted in the pamphlet coming with the optical disk 10 from thekey/display section 4, the user can watch the video, starting with thesection in the story corresponding to the entered number.

The video title set program chain information table (VTS₋₋ PGCIT) 300,which is the third table, is a mandatory table. Described in this table300 is the VTS program chain information (VTS₋₋ PGCI) or information onVTS program chains.

The video title set menu PGCI unit table (VTSM₋₋ PGCI₋₋ UT) 311, whichis the fourth table, is a mandatory item when the video object set(VTSM₋₋ VOBS) 95 for video title set menus is provided. Described in thetable 311 are information on program chains for reproducing the videotitle set menu (VTSM) provided for each language. By referring to thevideo title set menu PGCI unit table (VTSM₋₋ PGCI₋₋ UT) 311, a programchain for the specified language in the video object set (VTSM₋₋ VOBS)295 can be acquired and reproduced as a menu.

The video title set time search map table (VTS₋₋ MAPT) 301, which is thefifth table, is an optional table provided as the need arises. Describedin the table 301 is information on the recording location of the videodata in each program chain (PGC) in the title set 272 to which the maptable (VTS₋₋ MAPT) belongs, for a specific period of time of display.

The video title set cell address table (VTS₋₋ C₋₋ ADT) 312, which is thesixth table, is a mandatory item. Described in the table 312 are theaddresses of each cell 84 constituting all the video objects 83 or theaddresses of cell pieces constituting cells in the order theidentification numbers of the video objects are arranged. Here, a cellpiece is a piece constituting a cell. Cells undergo an interleavingprocess in cell pieces and are arranged in a video object 283.

The video object title set video object unit address map (VTS₋₋ VOBU₋₋ADMAP) 313, which is the seventh table, is a mandatory item. Describedin the table 313 are the start addresses of all the video object units285 in the video title set are described in the order of arrangement.

The video title information management table (VTSI₋₋ MAT) 298, videotitle set part-of-title search pointer table (VTS₋₋ PTT₋₋ SRPT) 299,video title set program chain information table (VTS₋₋ PGCIT) 300 andvideo title set menu PGCI unit table (VTSMPGCI₋₋ UT) 311, all shown inFIG. 44, will be described with reference to FIGS. 45 to 72.

FIG. 45 shows the contents of the video title information manager table(VTSI₋₋ MAT) 298, in which the video title set identifier (VTS₋₋ ID),the size (VTS₋₋ SZ) of the video title set 272, the version number(VERN) of the DVD video specification, the category (VTS₋₋ CAT) of thevideo title set 272, and the end address (VTSI₋₋ MAT₋₋ EA) of the videotitle information manager table (VTSI₋₋ MAT) 298 are described in thatorder.

Furthermore, described in the table (VTSI₋₋ MAT) 298 are the startaddress (VTSM₋₋ VOBS₋₋ SA) of the video object set (VTSM₋₋ VOBS) 295 forthe VTS menu (VTSM) and the start address (VTSTT₋₋ VOB₋₋ SA) of thevideo object for the title in the video title set (VTS). If the videoobject set (VTSM₋₋ BOBS) 295 for the VTS menu (VTSM) is absent,"00000000h" will be described in the start address (VTSM₋₋ VOBS₋₋ SA).The end address (VTSI₋₋ MAT₋₋ EA) of VTSI₋₋ MAT is expressed by thenumber of logical blocks, relative to the first byte in the video titleset information management table (VTI₋₋ MAT) 94. The start address(VTSTM₋₋ VOB₋₋ SA) of VTSM₋₋ VOBS and the start address (VTSTT₋₋ VOB₋₋SA) of VTSTT₋₋ VOB are expressed by logical blocks (RLBN) relative tothe head logical block in the video title set (VTS) 272.

In the table (VTSI₋₋ MAT) 298, the start address (VTS₋₋ PTT₋₋ SRPT₋₋ SA)of the video title set information part-of-title search pointer table(VTS₋₋ PTT₋₋ SRPT) 299 is represented by the number of blocks, relativeto the head logical block in the video title set information (VTSI) 294.Furthermore, in the table (VTSI₋₋ MAT) 298, the start address (VTS₋₋PGCIT₋₋ SA) of the video title set program chain information table(VTS₋₋ PGCIT) 300 and the start address (VTS₋₋ PGCI₋₋ UT₋₋ SA) of thePGCI unit table (VTS₋₋ PGCI₋₋ UT) 311 of video title set menusrepresented by the number of blocks, relative to the head logical blockin the video title set information (VTSI) 294, and the start address(VTS₋₋ MAPT₋₋ SA) of the time search map table (VTS₋₋ MAPT) 301 in thevideo title set (VTS) is described in logical sectors which follows thefirst logical sector in the video title set (VTS) 272. Similarly, theVTS address table (VTS₋₋ C₋₋ ADT) 312 and the address map (VTS₋₋ VOBU₋₋ADMAP) 313 for VTS₋₋ VOBU are described in logical sectors which followsthe head logical sector in the video title set (VTS) 272.

Described in the table (VTSI₋₋ MAT) 298 are the video attribute (VTSM₋₋V₋₋ ATR) of the video object set (VTSM₋₋ VOBS) 295 for the video titleset menu (VTSM) in the video title set (VTS) 272, the number of audiostreams (VTSM₋₋ AST₋₋ Ns), the attributes (VTSM₋₋ AST₋₋ ATR) of theaudio streams, the number of sub-picture streams (VTSM₋₋ SPST₋₋ Ns), andthe attributes (VTSM₋₋ SPST₋₋ ATR) of the sub-picture streams.Similarly, further described in the table (VTSI₋₋ MAT) 298 are the videoattribute (VTS₋₋ V₋₋ ATR) of the video object set (VTSM₋₋ VOBS) 296 forthe video title set (VTSTT) for the video title set (VTS) in the videotitle set (VTS) 272, the number of audio streams (VTS₋₋ AST₋₋ Ns), theattributes (VTS₋₋ AST₋₋ ATR) of the audio streams, the number ofsub-picture streams (VTS₋₋ SPST₋₋ Ns), and the attributes (VTS₋₋ SPST₋₋ATR) of the sub-picture streams. Also described in this table (VTSI₋₋MAT) 298 are the attribute (VTS₋₋ MU₋₋ AST₋₋ ATR) of the multi-channelaudio stream in the video title set (VTS).

At most eight audio streams are provided, and at most 32 sub-picturestreams are provided. Attribute is described in each of these streams.In the sub-picture stream attribute (VTS₋₋ SPST₋₋ ATR) it is describedwhether the sub-picture is a language or not.

The video title set part-of-title search pointer table (VTS.sub.₋₋ PTT₋₋SRPT) 299 shown in FIG. 44 has the structure shown in FIG. 46. As seenfrom FIG. 46, the table 299 has three items. Described in the first itemis part-of-title search pointer table information (PTT₋₋ SRPTI) 321.Described in the second item are n search pointers (TTU₋₋ SRP#1 to TTU₋₋SRP#n) 323 for title units #1 to #n 323. Described in the third item arem part-of-title search pointers (PTT₋₋ SRP#1 to PTT₋₋ SRP#m) 325 for minput numbers #1 to #m. In the part-of-title search pointer tableinformation (PTT₋₋ SRPTI) 321, there are described the number (VTS₋₋TTU₋₋ Ns) of title pointers in the video title set (VTS) and the endaddress (VTS₋₋ PTT₋₋ SRPT-EA) of the table (VTS₋₋ PTT₋₋ SRPT) 299, as isillustrated in FIG. 47. The maximum number of title search pointerswhich can be described is 99. Described in the end address (VTS₋₋ PTT₋₋SRP#n) 323 is the start address (TTU₋₋ SA) of the title unit (TTU),i.e., a set of title search pointers (PTT₋₋ SRP#l to PTT₋₋ SRP#m). Thestart address (TTU₋₋ SA), which is the start address of the first table(VTS₋₋ PTT₋₋ SRPT) 299, is described as the number of relative logicalblocks, relative to the head byte of the table (VTS₋₋ PTT₋₋ SRPT) 299.Described in the title search pointer (PTT₋₋ SRP#m) 325 are the programchain number (PGC₋₋ N) and program number PG₋₋ N which are designated bythe title search pointer #m (PTT₋₋ SRP#m), as is illustrated in FIG. 49.

The VTS program chain information table (VTS₋₋ PGCIT) 300 of FIG. 44 hasa structure as shown in FIG. 50. In the information table (VTS₋₋ PGCIT)300 there is described information on the VTS program chains (VTS₋₋PGC). The first item of this information is information (VTS₋₋ PGCIT₋₋I) 302 on the information table (VTS₋₋ PGCIT) 300 of VTS program chains(VTS₋₋ PGC). In the information table (VTS₋₋ PGCIT) 300, the information(VTS₋₋ PGCIT₋₋ I) 302 is followed by as many VTS₋₋ PGCI search pointers(VTS₋₋ PGCIT₋₋ SRP) used to search for VTS program chains (VTS₋₋ PGC) asthe number (from #1 to #n) of VTS program chains in the informationtable (VTS₋₋ PGCIT) 300. At the end of the table, there are provided asmany pieces of information (VTS₋₋ PGCI) 304 on the respective VTSprogram chains (VTS₋₋ PGC) as the number (from #1 to #n) of VTS programchains (VTS₋₋ PGC).

The information (VTS₋₋ PGCIT₋₋ I) 302 in the VTS program chaininformation table (VTS₋₋ PGCIT), as shown in FIG. 51, contains thenumber (VTS₋₋ PGC₋₋ Ns) of VTS program chains (VTS₋₋ PGC) and the endaddress (VTS₋₋ PGCIT₋₋ EA) of the table information (VTS₋₋ PGCIT₋₋ I)expressed by the number of bytes, relative to the first byte of theinformation table (VTS₋₋ PGCIT) 300.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 52, the VTS₋₋ PGCIT search pointer (VTS₋₋PGCIT₋₋ SRP) 303 contains the attributes (VTS₋₋ PGC₋₋ CAT) 272 of theprogram chains (VTS₋₋ PGC) in the video title set (VTS) and the startaddress (VTS₋₋ PGCI₋₋ SA) of the VTS₋₋ PGC information (VTS₋₋ PGCI)expressed by the number of bytes, relative to the first byte of theVTS₋₋ PGC information table (VTS₋₋ PGCIT) 300. Here, the VTS₋₋ PGCattribute (VTS₋₋ PGC₋₋ CAT) contains, for example, an attributeindicating whether an entry program chain (Entry PGC) is the first oneto be reproduced. Usually, an entry program chain (PGC) is describedbefore program chains (PGC) that are not entry program chains (PGC).

As shown in FIG. 53, five items are described in the PGC information(VTS₋₋ PGCI) 304 for one PGC. The first item is a program chain generalinformation (PGC₋₋ GI) 305. The second item is a program chainnavigation command Table (PGC-CMDT) 309. The third, fourth and fifthitems are described if a video object (VOB) exists. The third item is aprogram chain program map (PGC₋₋ PGMAP) 309, the fourth item is a cellplayback information table (C₋₋ PBIT) 307, and the fifth item is a cellposition information table (C₋₋ POSIT) 308.

As shown in FIG. 54, a PGC category (PGC₋₋ CAT) of the PGC chain (PGC),the contents (PGC₋₋ CNT) of the program chain (PGC), and a PGC playbacktime (PGC₋₋ PB₋₋ TM) are described in the program chain generalinformation (PGC₋₋ GI) 305.

If the PGC is a menu PGC, a data showing whether or not the PGC is anentry PGC is described in the PGC category (PGC₋₋ CAT), along with amenu ID. The menu ID is not used to designate a menu. Rather, there isdesignated a VMG title menu for displaying or selecting a title, a VTSsub-picture menu for selecting a sub-picture, a VTS audio menu for forselecting audio data, or a VTS menu for displaying or selecting aprogram. Referring to the contents (PGC₋₋ CNT) of the program chain(PGC), the user can designate any one of these menus. If the PGC is onefor titles, in the PGC category (PGCI₋₋ CAT) contains the block mode ofthe PCG, the block type of the PCG, and the type of a field to which theprogram chain is applied. The type of the field indicates whether or notthe PGC can be copied and whether the program in the PGC is playbackedcontinuously or at random. In the block mode of the PGC it is describedthat the PGC exists outside the block. If the PGC exists in the block,it is described in the mode that the PGC is the head PGC, the last PGCor neither the head PGC nor the last PGC. In the type of PGC it isdescribed that the PGC is not a part of any block or that the PGCbelongs to a specific block.

The contents (PGC₋₋ CNT) of PGC contain the description of the programchain structure, that is, the number of programs, the number of cells,etc. The playback time (PGC₋₋ PB₋₋ TIME) of PGC contains the totalplayback time of the programs in the PGC. The playback time is the timerequired to continuously play back the programs in the PGC, regardlessof the playback procedure.

Further described in the program chain general information (PGC₋₋ GI)305 are, as shown in FIG. 54, PGC user operation control (PGC₋₋ UOP₋₋CTL), PGC sub-picture stream control (PGC₋₋ SPST₋₋ CTL), PGC audiostream control (PGC₋₋ AST₋₋ CTL), and PGC navigation control (PGC₋₋ NV₋₋CTL). In the PGC user operation control (PGC₋₋ UOP₋₋ CTL), there isdescribed a user operation which is prohibited during the reproductionof the PGC. This user operation is calling of a menu, changing of asub-picture or an audio stream, or the like. In the PGC sub-picturestream control (PGC₋₋ SPST₋₋ CTL), the number of a sub-picture streamwhich can be used in the PGC. Similarly, the number of an audio streamwhich can be used in the PGC is described in the PGC audio streamcontrol (PGC₋₋ AST₋₋ CTL). In the PGC navigation control (PGC₋₋ NV₋₋CTL), eight bytes, i.e., 64 bits are described at bit numbers b0 to b63,as shown in FIG. 55. At bits b48 to b62 there is described the number ofthe next PGC to be reproduced. Described at bits B32 to B46 is thenumber of the PGC which should be playbacked immediately before thepresent PGC. Described at bits b16 to b30 is the number of the go-up PGCwhich will be processed after the present PGC is reproduced. Describedat bits b8 to b15 is the loop sum total indicating the number of timesthe present PGC is reproduced repeatedly. Described at b0 to b7 is thestill time value.

As shown in FIG. 55, the bit numbers b63, b47 and b31 are reserved for afuture use. If there is not the number of the next PGC, that of theprevious PGC or that of the go-up PGC, zeroes (0s) will be described atthese bits. If there is no loop, zeroes (0s) will be described at thecorresponding bits. If there is a loop that continues indefinitely, ones(1s) will be described at these bits. If there is no still time value,zeroes (0s) will be described at these bits. If the still time isindefinitely long, ones (1s) will be described at these bits.

The described contents of the PGC navigation control (PGC₋₋ NV₋₋ CTL)shown in FIG. 55 are utilized to reproduce PGCs one after another. Moreprecisely, if the user operates the key operating and displaying section4, designating "NEXT," or if the navigation command (later described)does not designate the number of the destination PGC, the number of thenext PGC, which is described at bits b48 to b62, will be used todesignate the next PGC as one that should be playbacked. If the useroperates the section 4, designating "PREVIOUS," the number of theprevious PGC, which is described at bits b32 to B46, will be used. Ifthe user operates the section 4, designating "GO," the number of thego-up PGC, which is described at bits b16 to b30, will be used.

As shown in FIG. 54, further described in the program chain generalinformation (PGC₋₋ GI) 305 are PGC sub-picture palette (PGC₋₋ SP₋₋ PLT);the start address (PGC₋₋ NV₋₋ CMDT₋₋ SA) of PGC navigation command table(PGC₋₋ NV ₋₋ CMDT) 309, the start address (PgC₋₋ PGMAP₋₋ SA) of PGCprogram map (PGC₋₋ PGMAP) 306, and the start address (C₋₋ POSIT₋₋ SA) ofcell position information table (C₋₋ POSIT) 308. Described in the PGCsub-picture palette (PGC₋₋ SP₋₋ PLT) are 16 color palettes for allsub-pictures of the PGC. The start addresses of the PGC navigationcommand table (PGC₋₋ NV₋₋ CMDT) 309, PGC program map (PGC₋₋ PGMAP) 306and cell position information table (C₋₋ POSIT) 308 are described in theform of the numbers of logical blocks, relative to the head byte of thePGC. If neither the cell playback information table (C₋₋ PBIT) 307 northe cell position information table (C₋₋ POSIT) 308 exists, zeroes (0s)will be described in their start addresses.

Described in the PGC navigation command table (PGC₋₋ NV₋₋ CMDT) 309shown in FIG. 53 is information about the navigation command shown inFIG. 33. The table 309 has the structure illustrated in FIG. 56. It isconstituted by four items. Described in the first item is program chainnavigation command table information (PGC₋₋ NV₋₋ CMDTI) 320 representingthe the PGC navigation command table (PGC₋₋ NV₋₋ CMDT) 309. Described inthe second item are pre-process navigation commands (PGC₋₋ NV₋₋ CMD)322. Described in the third item are post-process navigation commands(POST₋₋ NV₋₋ CMD) 324. Described in the fourth item are inter-cellnavigation commands (IC₋₋ NV₋₋ CMD) 326. Command numbers #1 to #i areassigned to the pre-process navigation commands (PGC₋₋ NV₋₋ CMD) 322,command numbers #1 to #j to the post-process navigation commands (POST₋₋NV₋₋ CMD) 324, and command numbers #1 to #k to the inter-cell navigationcommands (IC₋₋ NV₋₋ CMD) 326. The total of these commands, i+j+k, is setat the maximum of 128.

As illustrated in FIG. 57, the start address (PRE₋₋ NV₋₋ CMD₋₋ SA) of apre-navigation command (PRE₋₋ NV₋₋ CMD) 322, the start address (POST₋₋NV₋₋ CMD₋₋ SA) of a post navigation command (POST₋₋ NV₋₋ CMD) 324, andthe start address (IC₋₋ NV₋₋ CMD-SA) of an inter-cell navigation command(IC₋₋ NV₋₋ CMD) 326 are described in the program chain navigationcommand table information (PGC₋₋ NV₋₋ CMDTI) 320, each in the form ofnumber of logical blocks, relative to the head byte of the the PGCnavigation command table (PGC₋₋ NV₋₋ CMDT) 309. If none of thesecommands 322, 324 and 326, zeroes (0s) will be described in their startaddresses (PRE₋₋ NV₋₋ CMD₋₋ SA, POST₋₋ NV₋₋ CMD₋₋ SA, and IC₋₋ NV₋₋CMD-SA). The contents of the pre-process navigation command,post-process navigation command and inter-cell navigation command aredescribed in the navigation commands (PRE₋₋ NV₋₋ CMD, PST₋₋ NV₋₋ CMD,IC₋₋ NV₋₋ CMD) 322, 324 and 326, as is illustrated in FIGS. 58, 59 and60, respectively.

Described in each of the the navigation commands 322, 324 and 326 are alink command, a jump command, a compare command and a go-to command.Various combinations of the link, jump, compare and go-to commands areused to accomplish various types of data reproduction. If a link commandis described in any navigation command, the presentation will be linkedto a specified program chain, program or cell. If a jump command isdescribed in any navigation command, the presentation will jump to aspecified title set, a specified part of the title set or a designatedprogram chain of a specified title set. If a compare command isdescribed in any navigation command, the value set in a register or thelike during the data playback selected by the user will be compared withthe navigation parameter set at the start of the data reproduction, toexecuted another command. If a go-to command is described in anynavigation command, another navigation command will be executed or theexecution of the navigation command is stopped. Specific methods ofreproducing data, initiated by using navigation commands, will beexplained later in conjunction with the reproduction of video data.

The program chain program map (PGC₋₋ PGMAP) 306 of the PGC information(VTS₋₋ PGCI) 304 shown in FIG. 53 is a map representing the structure ofthe program in the PGC, as can be understood from FIG. 61. Described inthe the map (PGC₋₋ PGMAP) 306 are the entry cell numbers (ECELLN), thestart cell numbers of the individual programs, in ascending order asshown in FIG. 62. In addition, program numbers are allocated, startingat 1, in the order in which the entry cell numbers are described.Consequently, the first entry number in the map (PGC₋₋ PGMAP) 306 mustbe #1.

The cell playback information table (C₋₋ PBIT) 307 defines the order inwhich the cells in the PGC are played back. In the cell playbackinformation table (C₋₋ PBIT) 307 there are described pieces of the cellplayback information (C₋₋ PBIT) consecutively as shown in FIG. 63.Basically, cells are played back in the order of cell number. The cellplayback information (C₋₋ PBIT) contains a cell category (C₋₋ CAT) asplayback information (P₋₋ PBI) as shown in FIG. 64. Written in the cellcategory (C₋₋ CAT) are a cell block mode indicating whether the cell isone in the block and if it is, whether the cell is the first one, a cellblock type indicating whether the cell is not part of the block or isone in an angle block, an STC discontinuity flag indicating whether thesystem time clock (STC) must be set again, a cell playback mode, a cellnavigation control and an inter-cell command number. Here, a cell blockis defined as a set of cells with a specific angle. The change of theangle is realized by changing the cell block. Taking baseball forexample, the changing from an angle block of shooting scenes from theinfield to an angle block of shooting scenes from the outfieldcorresponds to the change of the angle. The cell-reproducing mode isdescribed to specify whether data is continuously reproduced within acell or a still image is formed from each video object unit (VOBU).Described in the navigation control is the data about the still imageformed after the reproduction of the cell. In other words, it isdescribed in the navigation control that no still image is formed orthat a still image lasts infinitely. In the number of the inter-cellcommand, the inter-cell navigation command to be executed uponcompletion of the cell playback is described in the form of the PGC₋₋NV₋₋ CMD number 326 contained in the command table (PGC₋₋ NV₋₋ CMDT)309. The PGC₋₋ NV₋₋ CMD number 326 is referred to during thereproduction of the cell. From the number 326 a PGC navigation commandis acquired and executed after the cell described in the cell playbackinformation (P₋₋ PBI).

As shown in FIG. 64, the playback information (P₋₋ PBI) of the cellplayback information table (C₋₋ PBIT) 307 contains the cell playbacktime (C₋₋ PBTM) representing the total playback time of the PGC. Whenthe PGC has an angle cell block, the playback time of the angle cellnumber 1 represents the playback time of the angle block, Also describedin the cell playback information table (C₋₋ PBIT) 307 are the startaddress (C₋₋ FVOBU₋₋ SA) of the first video object unit (VOBU) 285 inthe cell expressed by the number of logical blocks, relative to thefirst logical block in the video object unit (VOBU) 285 in which thecell is recorded and the start address (C₋₋ LVOBU₋₋ SA) of the end videoobject unit (VOBU) 285 in the cell expressed by the number of logicalblocks, relative to the first logical block in the video object unit(VOBU) in which the cell is recorded.

The cell position information table (C₋₋ POSI) 308 specifies theidentification numbers (VOB₋₋ ID) of the video objects (VOB) in the cellused in the PGC and the cell identification number (C₋₋ ID). In the cellposition information table (C₋₋ POSI), pieces of cell positioninformation (C₋₋ POSI) corresponding to the cell numbers written in thecell playback information table (C₋₋ PBIT) 307 as shown in FIG. 65 aredescribed in the same order as in the cell playback information table(C₋₋ PBIT). The cell position information (C₋₋ POSI) contains theidentification numbers (C₋₋ VOB₋₋ IDN) of the video object units (VOBS)in the cell and the cell identification number (C₋₋ IDN) as shown inFIG. 66.

Further, the structure of the video title set PGCI unit table (VTSM₋₋PGCI₋₋ UT) 311 shown in FIG. 44 will be explained with reference toFIGS. 67 to 72. The video title set PGCI unit table (VTSM₋₋ PGCI₋₋ UT)311 has substantially the same structure as the VMGM₋₋ PGCI unit table280 shown in FIG. 34. That is, in the VMGM₋₋ PGCI unit table (VTSM₋₋PGCI₋₋ UT) 311, VTS menu PGCI unit table information (VTSM₋₋ PGCI₋₋ UTI)350 is first described as shown in FIG. 67, then VTS menu language unitsearch pointers (VMGM₋₋ LU₋₋ SRP) 351 of a necessary number ncorresponding to the number n of languages are successively described,and the VTS menu language unit (VTSM₋₋ LU) 352 searched for by thesearch pointer is described.

In the VTS menu PGCI unit table information (VTSM₋₋ PGCI₋₋ UTI) 350, thenumber (VTSM₋₋ LU₋₋ Ns) of VTSM language units (VTSM₋₋ LU) and the endaddress (VTSM₋₋ PGCI₋₋ UT₋₋ EA) of the VTSM₋₋ PGCI unit table (VMGM₋₋PGCI₋₋ UT) 311 are described as shown in FIG. 68. In each of n videomanager menu language unit search pointers (VTSM₋₋ LU₋₋ SRP) 351prepared for respective languages, the language code (VTSM₋₋ LCD) of theVTS menu and the start address (VTSM₋₋ LU₋₋ SA) of the VTS menu (VTSM)language unit (VTSM₋₋ LU) 252 are described as shown in FIG. 69. The endaddress (VTSM₋₋ PGCI₋₋ UT₋₋ EA) of VTSM₋₋ PGCI₋₋ UT 280 and the startaddress (VTSM₋₋ LU₋₋ SA) of VTSM₋₋ LU 352 are described by use of thelogical block number from the first block of the VTSM₋₋ PGCI unit table(VTSM₋₋ PGCI₋₋ UT) 311.

In each of n VTSM language units (VTSM₋₋ LU) 352 prepared for respectivelanguages, VTSM menu language unit information (VTSM₋₋ LUI) 353 andVTSM₋₋ PGCI search pointers (VTSM₋₋ PGCI₋₋ SRP) 354 of a numbercorresponding to the number of menu program chains are provided as shownin FIG. 70, and VTSM₋₋ PGC information items (VTSM₋₋ PGCI) 355 searchedfor by the search pointers and corresponding in number to the menuprogram chains are provided as shown in FIG. 70.

In each language unit information (VTSM₋₋ LUI) 353, the number (VMGM₋₋PGCI₋₋ Ns) of VMGM₋₋ PGCIs and the end address (VTSM₋₋ LUI₋₋ EA) of thelanguage unit information (VTSM₋₋ LUI) are described as shown in FIG.71. Further, in the VTSM₋₋ PGCI search pointer (VTSM₋₋ PGCI₋₋ SRP), theVTSM₋₋ PGC category (VTSM₋₋ PGC₋₋ CAT) and the start address (VTSM₋₋PGCI₋₋ SA) of VTSM₋₋ PGCI are described as shown in FIG. 72. The endaddress (VTSM₋₋ LUI₋₋ EA) of VTSM₋₋ LUI and the start address (VTSM₋₋PGCI₋₋ SA) of VTSM₋₋ PGCI are described by the number of logical blocks,relative to the head byte of VTSM₋₋ LU. As the VTSM₋₋ PGC category(VTSM₋₋ PGC₋₋ CAT), information indicating that the program chain is anentry program chain or title menu is described.

As explained with reference to FIG. 28, a cell 284 is a set of videoobject units (VOBU) 285. A video object unit (VOBU) 285 is defined as apack train starting with a navigation (NAV) pack 286. Therefore, thestart address (C₋₋ FVOBU₋₋ SA) of the first video object unit (VOBU) 285in a cell 284 is the start address of the NAV pack 286. As shown in FIG.73, the NAV pack consists of a pack header 310, a system header 311, andtwo packets of navigation data--a presentation control information (PCI)packet 316 and a data search information (DSI) packet 317. As many bytesas shown in FIG. 73 are allocated to the respective sections so that onepack may contain 2048 bytes corresponding to one logical sector. The NAVpack is placed immediately in front of the video pack containing thefirst data item in the group of pictures (GOP). Even when the objectunit 285 contains no video pack, an NAV pack is placed at the head ofthe object unit containing audio packs or/and sub-picture packs. As withan object unit containing object units, even with an object unitcontaining no video pack, the playback time of the object unit isdetermined on the basis of the unit in which video is reproduced.

Here, a GOP is determined in the MPEG standard and is defined as a datatrain constituting a plurality of screens as explained earlier.Specifically, GOP corresponds to compressed data. Expanding thecompressed data enables the reproduction of a plurality of frames ofimage data to reproduce moving pictures. The pack header 310 and systemheader 111 are defined in the MPEG 2 system layer. The pack header 310contains a pack start code, a system clock reference (SCR), and amultiplex rate. The system header 311 contains a bit rate and a streamID. The packet header 312, 314 of each of the PCI packet 116 and DSIpacket 317 contains a packet start code, a packet length, and a streamID as determined in the MPEG2 system layer.

As shown in FIG. 74, another video, audio, or sub-picture pack 288, 290,291 consists of a pack header 320, packet header 321, and a packet 322containing the corresponding data as determined in the MPEG2 systemlayer. Its pack length is determined to be 2048 bytes. Each of thesepacks is aligned with the boundaries between logical blocks.

The PCI data (PCI) 313 in the PCI packet 316 is navigation data used tomake a presentation, or to change the contents of the display, insynchronization with the playback of the video data in the VOB unit(VOBU) 285. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 75, the PCI data (PCI) 313contains PCI general information (PCI₋₋ GI) as information on the entirePCI and angle information (NSMLS₋₋ ANGLI) as each piece of jumpdestination angle information in angle change. The PCI generalinformation (PCI₋₋ GI) contains the address (NV₋₋ PCK₋₋ LBN) of the NVpack (NV₋₋ PCK) 286 in which the PCI 113 is recorded as shown in FIG.76. The address is expressed in the number of blocks, relative to thelogical sector of VOBU 285 in which the PCI 313 is recorded. The PCIgeneral information (PCI₋₋ GI) contains the category (VOBU₋₋ CAT) ofVOBU 285, the start playback time (VOBU₋₋ S₋₋ PTM) of VOBU, and the endplayback time (VOBU₋₋ EPTM) of VOBU. Here, the start PTS (VOBU₋₋ SPTS)of VOBU 285 indicates the playback start time (start presentation time)of the video data in the VOBU 285 containing the PCI 313. The playbackstart time is the first playback start time in the VOBU 285. Normally,the first picture corresponds to I picture (intra-picture) data in theMPEG standard. The end PTS (VOBU₋₋ EPTS) in the VOBU 285 indicates theplayback end time (end presentation time) of the VOBU 285 containing thePCI 313.

DSI data (DSI) 315 in the DSI packet 317 shown in FIG. 73 is navigationdata used to search for the VOB unit (VOBU) 285. Described in the DSIdata (DSI) 315 are DSI general information (DSI₋₋ GI), seamlessinformation (SML₋₋ PBI), angle information (SML₋₋ AGLI), addressinformation (NV₋₋ PCK₋₋ ADI) on a navigation pack, and synchronizingplayback information (SYNCI), as shown in FIG. 77.

The DSI information (DSI₋₋ GI) contains information about the entire DSI315. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 78, the DSI general information(DSI₋₋ GI) contains the system clock reference (NV₋₋ PCK₋₋ SCR) for theNV pack 286. The system clock reference (NV₋₋ PCK₋₋ SCR) is stored inthe system time clock (STC) built in each section of FIG. 1. On thebasis of the STC, video, audio, and sub-picture packs are decoded at thevideo, audio, and sub-picture decoders 58, 60, and 62 and the monitor 6and the speaker 8 reproduce images and sound, respectively. The DSIgeneral information (DSI₋₋ GI) contains the start address (NV₋₋ PCK₋₋LBN) of the NV pack (NV₋₋ PCK) 286 containing the DSI 315 expressed bythe number of logical sectors (RLSN), relative to the first logicalsector in the VOB set (VOBS) 282 containing the DSI 315, and the address(VOBU₋₋ EA) of the last pack in the VOB unit (VOBU) 285 containing theDSI 315 expressed by the number of logical sectors (RLSN), relative tothe first logical sector in the VOB unit (VOBU).

Furthermore, the DSI general information (DSI₋₋ GI) contains the endaddress (VOBU₋₋ IP₋₋ EA) of the V pack (V₋₋ PCK) 288 containing the lastaddress of the first I picture in the VOBU expressed by the number oflogical sectors (RLSN), relative to the first logical sector in the VOBunit (VOBU) containing the DSI 315, and the identification number(VOBU₋₋ IP₋₋ IDN) of the VOBU 283 containing the DSI 315 and theidentification number (VOBU₋₋ C₋₋ IDN) of the cell in which the DSI 315is recorded.

The navigation pack address information of DSI contains the addresses ofa specified number of navigation packs. Video fast-forward etc. areeffected, referring to the addresses. The synchronizing information(SYNCI) includes address information on the sub-pictures and audio datareproduced in synchronization with the playback start time of the videodata in the VOB unit (VOBU) containing DSI 315. Specifically, as shownin FIG. 79, the start address (A₋₋ SYNCA) of the target audio pack (A₋₋PCK) 291 is expressed by the number of logical sectors (RLSN), relativeto the NAV pack (NV₋₋ PCK) 286 in which DSI 315 is recorded. When thereare more than one audio stream (8 audio streams, at most), as manypieces of synchronizing information (SYNCI) as audio streams aredescribed. Furthermore, the synchronizing information (SYNCI) includesthe address (SP₋₋ SYNCA) of the NAV pack (NV₋₋ PCK) 286 of the VOB unit(VOBU) 285 containing the target audio pack (SP₋₋ PCK) 291. The addressis expressed by the number of logical sectors (RLSN), relative to theNAV pack (NV₋₋ PCK) 286 in which DSI 315 is recorded. When more than onesub-picture stream (32 sub-picture streams, at most) exist, theredescribed as many pieces of synchronizing information (SYNCI) assub-picture streams.

Hereinafter, the operation of reproducing the movie data from theoptical disk 10 with the logic format shown in FIGS. 26 to 79 will beexplained with reference to FIG. 1. In FIG. 1, the solid-line arrowsindicate data buses and the broken-line arrows represent control buses.

To begin with, the operation of acquiring the video title set (VTS) 272by the use of the video manager (VMG) 271 will be explained by referenceto FIG. 80. With the optical disk apparatus of FIG. 1, when the powersupply is turned on and an optical disk 10 is loaded, the system CPUsection 50 reads the initial operation program from the system ROM/RAMsection 52 and operates the disk drive section 30, which then starts asearch operation as shown in step S241. Namely, the disk drive section30 starts to read the data from the lead-in area 27 and then from theadjoining volume and file structure area 270, in which a volumestructure and a file structure are determined in accordance withISO-9660. Specifically, to read the data from the volume and filestructure area 270 located in a specific position on the optical disk 10set in the disk drive section 30, the system CPU section 50 gives a readinstruction to the disk drive section 30 to read the contents of thevolume and file structure area 270, and stores the data temporarily inthe data RAM section 56 via the system processor section 54. The systemCPU section 50 extracts information about the recording position andrecording size of each file and management information necessary forother managing actions via the path table and directory record stored inthe data RAM section 56, and transfers and stores these pieces ofinformation in specific locations in the system ROM/RAM section 52.

Then, as shown in step S242, the system CPU section 50 acquires a videomanager 271 composed of files, starting with file number 0, by referenceto the information about the recording position and recording capacityof each file in the system ROM/RAM section 52. Specifically, referringto the recording position and recording capacity of each file acquiredfrom the system ROM/RAM section 52, the system CPU section 50 gives aread instruction to the disk drive section 30, acquires the positionsand sizes of a plurality of files constituting the video manager 271existing on the root directory, reads the video manager (VMG) 271, andstores it in the data RAM section 56 via the system processor section54. Thereafter, the system CPU section 50, as shown in step S243,acquires the start addresses of the individual tables (TT₋₋ SRPT, VMGM₋₋PGCI₋₋ UT, VTS₋₋ ART) written in the video management information table(VMGI₋₋ MAT) 278, thereby enabling the acquisition of each table. Here,when the user looks at a title brochure in which titles have beenwritten, gets a number specifying a video title set, and enters thenumber directly from the key/display section 4 as shown in step S244,control will be passed to step S248. When there is no input entered bythe user from the key/display section 4, it will be confirmed as shownin step S245 whether or not a VMGM video object set (VMGM₋₋ VOBS) 276 ispresent as menu data in the video management information table (VMGI₋₋MAT) 278. If there is no VMGM video object set (VMGM₋₋ VOBS) 276, theuser may enter a video title set or a predetermined video title set maybe selected, and control will be passed to step S248. If a VMGM videoobject set (VMGM₋₋ VOBS) 276 is present, the video attribute information(VMGM₋₋ V₋₋ ATR) on VMGM and the attribute information (VMGM₋₋ AST₋₋ATR, VMGM₋₋ SPST₋₋ ATR) on audio and sub-picture streams will beacquired from the video management information table (VMGI₋₋ MAT) 278.Thereafter, as shown in step S247, a menu will be displayed as shown instep S247, which will be explained in detail later by reference to FIG.81. According to the menu representation, the user selects the videotitle set (VTS) 272. Once the video title set (VTS) 272 has beenselected, the video title set number (VTSN) corresponding to theselected video title set, title number (VTS₋₋ TT), and the start address(VTS₋₋ SA) of the video title set are acquired from the title searchpointer table (TT₋₋ SRPT) 278 in the video manager (VMG) 271.Furthermore, the system CPU 50 obtains attribute information (VTS₋₋ V₋₋ATR, VTS₋₋ AST₋₋ ATR, VTS₋₋ SPST) of the acquired video title set number(VTSN) from the video title set attribute table (VTS₋₋ ATRT) 280. On thebasis of these pieces of attribute information (VTS₋₋ V₋₋ ATR, VTS₋₋AST₋₋ ATR, VTS₋₋ SPST), the parameters necessary for playback of thevideo manager menu are set in the video decoder section 58, audiodecoder section 60, and sub-picture decoder section 62, respectively.Furthermore, according to the pieces of attribute information, the videoprocessing section 201, audio processing section 202, audio mixingsection 203, and sub-picture processing section 207 in the D/A anddata-reproducing section 64 are set. By the above series of procedures,the preparation to acquire the video title set 276 has been completed asshown in step S250.

Now, the operation going on as far as the video manager menu forchoosing a video title is displayed will be described by reference toFIG. 81. When the menu search process is started as shown in step S210,the volume manager information management table (VMGI₋₋ MAT) 278, thefirst table in the video manager 271, will be searched. By the searchingoperation, the start address (VMGM₋₋ PGCI₋₋ UT₋₋ SA) of the VMGM₋₋ PGCIunit table (VMGM₋₋ PGCI₋₋ UT) 280 for the video manager menu (VMGM) isacquired. Then, the VMGM₋₋ PGCI unit table 280 is acquired. From thetable information (VMGM₋₋ PGCI₋₋ UTI) in the table (VMGM₋₋ PGCI₋₋ UT)280, the number (a) of language units (VMGM₋₋ LU₋₋ Ns) on the videomanager menu is acquired. Then, as shown in step S211, the acquisitionof the search pointer (VMGM₋₋ LU₋₋ SRP) of the first #1 (n=1) VMGM₋₋ LUis determined. The search pointer (VMGM₋₋ LU₋₋ SRP) of the VMGM₋₋ LU isacquired as shown in step S212. Then, as shown in step S213, it isdetermined whether the language code (=b) (VMGM₋₋ LCD) written in thesearch pointer (VMGM₋₋ LU₋₋ SRP) of VMGM₋₋ LU coincides with thelanguage code (=B) specified in the reproducing apparatus, or thedefault language code. If the language codes do not coincide with eachother, the number of the search pointer will be incremented (n=n+1) asshown in step S214 and it will be determined whether the incrementednumber n has exceeded the number (a) of language units (VMGM₋₋ LU₋₋ Ns)in the video manager menu. If the number n has been set equal to orlarger than the number (a) of language units (VMGM₋₋ LU₋₋ Ns) in thevideo manager menu, the searching operation for the video manager menu(VMGM) will be terminated as shown in step S216. If the number n issmaller than the number (a) of language units (VMGM₋₋ LU₋₋ Ns) in thevideo manager menu, control will be returned to step S213, where then-th search pointer (VMGM₋₋ LU₋₋ SRP) of VMGM₋₋ LU will be acquired andstep S213 to step S215 will be executed again.

If in step S213, the language code (=b) (VMGM₋₋ LCD) written in thesearch pointer (VMGM₋₋ LU₋₋ SRP) of VMGM₋₋ LU coincides with thelanguage code (=B) specified in the reproducing apparatus, or thedefault language code, the VMGM language unit (VMGM₋₋ LU) 252corresponding to the language code written in the search pointer (VMGM₋₋LU₋₋ SRP) of VMGM₋₋ LU will be acquired as shown in step S217. Thenumber (VMGM₋₋ PGCI₋₋ Ns) of VMGM₋₋ PGCI is extracted from the VMGMlanguage unit information (VMGM₋₋ LUI). Next, as shown in step S218, theVMGM₋₋ PGC category (VMGM₋₋ PGC₋₋ CAT) is acquired from the VMGM₋₋ PGCIsearch pointer (VMGM₋₋ PGCI₋₋ SRP) 254. Thus, the VMGM₋₋ PGC numbercorresponding to the menu ID (="0010") as well as to the entry type (=1)is acquired from the VMGM₋₋ PGC category (VMGM₋₋ PGC₋₋ CAT). Here, themenu ID (="0010") corresponds to the VMGM title menu. The start address(VMGM₋₋ PGC₋₋ SA) of the VMGM₋₋ PGC corresponding to the acquired VMGM₋₋PGC number is obtained from the VMGM₋₋ PGCI search pointer (VMGM₋₋PGCI₋₋ SRP) and as shown in step S219, the relevant PGC is acquired fromthe VMGM video object set (VMGM₋₋ VOBS) 276, thereby reproducing thePGC.

As a result, the VMG menu as shown in FIG. 82 is displayed, for example.In this example, the story of "Mr. X's Life" appears as the first titleand the story of "Mrs. Y's Life" appears as the second title under thetitle of interactive movie series, meaning that either title set can bechosen. When the first title set or the story of "Mr. X's Life" ischosen, the title set corresponding to the first one is acquired asfollows.

The start address (VTS₋₋ SA) of the video title set 72 is acquired fromthe title search pointer 293 having the entry number #1 shown in FIG.30. Then, the video title set information (VTSI) 294 on the title setshown in FIG. 44 is obtained. From the management table (VTSI₋₋ MAT) 298of the video title set information (VTSI) 294, the end address (VTSI₋₋MAT₋₋ EA) of the video title set information management table (VTSI₋₋MAT) 298 shown in FIG. 45 is acquired. Furthermore, on the basis of thenumber of audio streams and the number of sub-picture streams (VTS₋₋AST₋₋ Ns, VTS₋₋ SPST₋₋ Ns) and the attribute information (VTS₋₋ V₋₋ ATR,VTS₋₋ A₋₋ ATR, VTS₋₋ SPST₋₋ ATR) on the audio and video data, eachsection of the reproducing apparatus of FIG. 1 is set. Specifically,according to the attribute information, the audio processing section202, audio mixing section 203, and sub-picture reproducing section 207in the D/A and reproducing section 64 are set.

When the video title set menu (VTSM) is present, the video title setmenu will be displayed according to the flow shown in FIG. 83.Specifically, when the menu search process is started as shown in stepS220, this enables the start address (VTSM₋₋ PGCI₋₋ UT₋₋ SA) of theVTSM₋₋ PGCI unit table (VTS₋₋ PGCI₋₋ UT) 300 for the video title setmenu (VTSM) to be acquired. Then, the VTSM₋₋ PGCI unit table 300 isacquired. From the table information (VTSM₋₋ PGCI₋₋ UTI) in the table(VTSM₋₋ PGCI₋₋ UT) 300, the number (a) of language units (VTSM₋₋ LU₋₋Ns) on the video title menu is acquired. Then, as shown in step S221,the acquisition of the search pointer (VTSM₋₋ LU₋₋ SRP) of the first #1(n=1) VTSM₋₋ LU is determined. The search pointer (VTSM₋₋ LU₋₋ SRP) 351of the VTSM₋₋ LU₋₋ 352 is acquired as shown in step S222. Then, as shownin step S223, it is determined whether the language code (=b) (VTSM₋₋LCD) written in the search pointer (VTSM₋₋ LU₋₋ SRP) 351 of VTSM₋₋ LUcoincides with the language code (=B) specified in the reproducingapparatus, or the default language code. If the language codes do notcoincide with each other, the number of the search pointer will beincremented (n=n+1) as shown in step S224 and it will be determinedwhether the incremented number n has exceeded the number (a) of languageunits (VTSM₋₋ LU₋₋ Ns) in the video title set menu. If the number n hasbeen set equal to or larger than the number (a) of language units(VTSM₋₋ LU₋₋ Ns) in the video title set menu, the searching operationfor the video title set menu (VTSM) will be terminated as shown in stepS226. If the number n is smaller than the number (a) of language units(VTSM₋₋ LU₋₋ Ns) in the video title set menu, control will be returnedto step S222, where the n-th search pointer (VTSM₋₋ LU₋₋ SRP) 351 ofVTSM₋₋ LU will be acquired and step S223 to step S225 will be executedagain.

If in step S223, the language code (=b) (VTSM₋₋ LCD) written in thesearch pointer (VTSM₋₋ LU₋₋ SRP) 351 of VTSM₋₋ LU coincides with thelanguage code (=B) specified in the reproducing apparatus, or thedefault language code, the VTSM language unit (VTSM₋₋ LU) 352corresponding to the language code written in the search pointer (VTSM₋₋LU₋₋ SRP) 351 of VTSM₋₋ LU will be acquired as shown in step S227. Thenumber (VTSM₋₋ PGCI₋₋ Ns) of VTSM₋₋ PGCI is extracted from the VTSMlanguage unit information (VTSM₋₋ LUI). Next, as shown in step S228, theVTSM₋₋ PGC category (VTSM₋₋ PGC₋₋ CAT) is acquired from the VTSM-PGCIsearch pointer (VTSM₋₋ PGCI₋₋ SRP) 354. Thus, the VTSM₋₋ PGC numbercorresponding to the menu ID (="0011" to "0111") as well as to the entrytype (=1) is acquired from the VTSM₋₋ PGC category (VTSM₋₋ PGC₋₋ CAT).Here, the menu ID (="0011" to "0111") corresponds to the VTSM audio menufor selecting an audio language or VTSM program menu for selecting aprogram or the other menu. The start address (VTSM₋₋ PGC₋₋ SA) of theVTSM₋₋ PGC corresponding to the acquired VTSM₋₋ PGC number is obtainedfrom the VTSM₋₋ PGCI search pointer (VTSM₋₋ PGCI₋₋ SRP) and as shown instep S229, the relevant PGC is acquired from the VTSM video object set(VTSM₋₋ VOBS) 295, thereby reproducing the PGC.

Accordingly, the VTS menu as shown in FIG. 84 is displayed, for example.In this example, "Mr. X's Life" appears as a title and "1. Infancy", "2.Youth", "3. Middle Age", and "4. Old Age" appear as parts of the titlethat can be chosen. Once the user has chosen a part of the title fromthe menu by pressing the corresponding key on the key/display section 4,for example, the language selection menu, a submenu, appears.Specifically, since 32 sub-picture streams have been prepared assub-pictures as explained earlier, the movie suppliers can display oneof, for example, English, Japanese, German, and French sub-pictures.Furthermore, a menu that allows selection of one from eight audiostreams can be prepared as another submenu. This makes it possible tochoose any one of audio streams associated with dubbing. Selecting achoice from the menu causes the program chain corresponding to thechoice to be reproduced.

When the menu (VTSM) for video title sets (VTS) has a simple structure,the start address (VTSM₋₋ VOB₋₋ SA) of the video object set (VTSM₋₋ VOB)295 for video title set menus may be acquired from the video title setinformation management table (VTSI₋₋ MAT) 298 of FIG. 34 and the menufor video title sets may be displayed according to the video object set(VTSM₋₋ VOB) 295.

Now, the operation of retrieving and reproducing a program chain afterthe title has been chosen will be explained by reference to the flowsshown in FIG. 85. Specifically, when the user specifies a program chain(PGC) from the key/display section 4, referring to the menu, the desiredprogram chain will be searched for by the following procedure. Thisprocedure applies to not only the retrieval of a program chain fortitles in a video title set, but also the retrieval of a program chainfor menus, each of which is a relatively complex menu made up of aprogram chain. As shown in FIG. 85, after a searching operation has beenstarted as shown in step S251, the system CPU section 50 acquires videotitle set information 294 as shown in step S252 as explained earlier.Then, as shown in step S253, the start address of each table is obtainedfrom the acquired video title set information 294. The table (VTS₋₋PTT₋₋ SRPT) 299 is acquired according to the start address (VTS₋₋ PTT₋₋SRPT₋₋ SA) of the video title set part-of-title search pointer table(VTS₋₋ PTT₋₋ SRPT) 299 among these obtained start addresses. Next, asshown in step S254, on the basis of the number (VTSN) of the video titleset 296 obtained by reference to the title search pointer (TT₋₋ SRP) 279of the video manager (VMG) 271 and the VTS title number (VTS₋₋ TTN), thePGC number corresponding to the part of the title specified by the userand the PG number are acquired.

By referring to the VTS-PGCI table (VTS₋₋ PGCIT) 300, the VTS₋₋ PGCsearch pointer #n (VTS₋₋ PGCI₋₋ SRP #n) 303 corresponding to theacquired PGC number is obtained. On the basis of the pointer #n (VTS₋₋PGCI₋₋ SRP #n) 303, the category (VTS₋₋ PGC₋₋ CAT) of the VTS₋₋ PGC andthe start address (VTS₋₋ PGCI₋₋ SA) of the VTS₋₋ PGC information (VTS₋₋PGCI #n) 304 pointed out by the pointer are acquired. As shown in stepS256, according to the start address (VTS₋₋ PGCI₋₋ SA) of the VTS₋₋ PGCinformation (VTS₋₋ PGCI #n) 304, the VTS₋₋ PGC information (VTS₋₋ PGCI#n) 304 is acquired. As shown in step S257, on the basis of the PGCgeneral information (PGC₋₋ GI) 305 in the acquired VTS₋₋ PGC information(VTS₋₋ PGCI #n) 304, the contents (PGC₋₋ CNT) of the PGC are acquired.Then, from the PGC₋₋ CNT, the number of programs in the PGC and thenumber of cells are obtained.

Before the playback of the PGC, the system CPU section 50 acquiresprogram chain navigation command table information (PGC₋₋ NV₋₋ CMDTI)from the program navigation command table (PGC₋₋ NV₋₋ CMDT) 309, obtainspreprocess navigation command #1 (PRE₋₋ NV₋₋ CMD #1) to preprocessnavigation command #i (PRE₋₋ Nv₋₋ CMD #i) one after another by referenceto the table (PGC₋₋ NV₋₋ CMDT) 309 as shown in step S258, and executesthose commands. The command, for example, the set command, specifies aspecific register (not shown in FIG. 1) for the navigation command andinitializes the register.

After all of the pre-navigation commands (PRE₋₋ NV₋₋ CMD) have beenexecuted, the PGC program map (PGC₋₋ MAP) 306 and cell playbackinformation (C₋₋ PBIT) are acquired and as shown in step S259, theplayback of the specified program (x), or the playback of cells, isstarted. Once the playback of a program has been completed as a resultof cell playback, the program number is updated (x=x+1) as shown in stepS260, and it is confirmed as shown in step S261 whether any updatedprogram number is present. Namely, it is verified whether the programreproduced before playback is the last program. If there is a programhaving the updated program number, control will be passed to step S259,where the updated program will be reproduced. If the reproduced programis the last program, the selection menu for choosing a program to benext reproduced will be displayed as shown in step S262. The menu mayhave the choices appear in a sub-picture with the cell playback kept ina halt, or with moving pictures appearing on the screen by repeating thecell playback.

When the user has chosen a subsequent PGC from the selection menu, thePGC number at the branch destination chosen by the user is set in theregister specified by the set command or the like. At this time, thelanguage previously held in the apparatus, or the player, is referred toand an audio stream and a video stream are set.

After the selection has been completed, the system CPU section 50acquires postprocess navigation command #1 (POST₋₋ NV₋₋ CMD #1) topostprocess navigation command #j (POST₋₋ NV₋₋ CMD #j) one after anotherand executes those commands. Specifically, if a comparison command isexecuted, the next PGC number will be determined, taking into accountthe course of the user's past selection, and this PGC number will be setin the register as the updated PGC number. When a comparison command isexecuted, the PGC number chosen at step S262 is not necessarilyselected. Taking account of the course of the user's past selection, asuitable PGC number is set. If a jump command is executed, jumping tothe PCG having the set PGC number will be effected. If a "Previous" or"Next" key (not shown in FIG. 1) on the key/display section 4 isdepressed by the user, a link command is executed so that linking to thePGC having the set PGC number which is described in PGC₋₋ NV₋₋ CTL inthe PGCI₋₋ GI will be effected. When the PGC is not branched by apostprocess navigation command (POST₋₋ NV₋₋ CMD), a subsequent PGCnumber will be acquired from the PGC₋₋ NV₋₋ CTL shown in FIG. 55 writtenin PGCI₋₋ GI in the PGC general information (PGC₋₋ GI) as shown in stepS264. Then, linking is done to the PCG specified by the number.

Once the next PGC number has been determined, it is confirmed whetherthere is any subsequent PGC number as shown in step S265. If asubsequent PGC is present, control will be passed again to step S255. Ifthere is no PGC number, the playback of PGC will be terminated as shownin step S266.

An example of playing back the PGC will be described by reference toFIG. 86. FIG. 86 illustrates how the cells 284 in the video objects 283with the identification numbers #1 and #2 are reproduced in the order ofprogram chains #1 and #2. To reproduce PGC #1, the pre-navigationcommand 322 is executed to prepare the playback of cells in the PGC.Thereafter, the cells are reproduced in the order of playback number(CN#k). In this example, although the order of cell playback number(CN#k) is the order of cell identification number (C₋₋ IDN#q), the orderof cell playback number (CN#k) may differ from the order of cellidentification number (C₋₋ IDN#q). With PGC#1, when the last cell (CN#f)has been reproduced, the post command 324 is executed and, for example,a link command is executed to perform linking to the next PGC#2.Similarly, with PGC#2, the pre-navigation command 322 is executed andthe playback of cells is started. In the PGC #2, a cell (CN#3)containing an inter-cell navigation command (IC₋₋ NVCMD) 326 is present.After the cell (CN#3) 284 is playbacked, the inter-cell navigationcommand (IC₋₋ NVCMD) 326 is executed. Specifically, when the cell (CN#3)284 is reproduced, the system CPU section 50 acquires the inter-cellcommand number written in the cell category (C₋₋ CAT) by reference toC₋₋ PBI in the C₋₋ PBI table 307, obtains the IC₋₋ NV command 326corresponding to the number, and executes the command. With the lastPGC#2, when the cell playback has been completed, the post- navigationcommand 324 is likewise executed.

When the program suppliers suitably set the above-describedpre-navigation command 322, inter-cell navigation command 326, andpost-navigation command 324 as well as the contents of PGC₋₋ CAT writtenin the PGC₋₋ GI 305, this makes it possible to produce title sets withexcellent user interface in an interactive environment. Specifically, itis possible to realize not only a simple serial playback mode in whichprogram chains are reproduced, starting with the entry program chain #1in ascending order as shown in FIG. 87A, but also a branching playbackmode in which a story proceeds with the flow branching from entryprogram #1 to any one of program chains #2, #3, and #4 as shown in FIG.87B.

With the formats of the initial version, the method of creatingsequences has been described by reference to FIGS. 20 to 25. The samemethod applies to the formation of program chains. To do so, in theexplanations in FIGS. 20 to 25, it is necessary to read the sequences asthose for program chains, place cells containing inter-cell commandsrequired to arrange cells, and suitably arrange pre-navigation commandsand post-navigation commands, thereby producing program chains. It goeswithout saying that the formats related to an improved version can beunderstood by reference to the explanations of FIGS. 20 to 25.

Referring to FIGS. 88 to 93, explained next will be a method ofrecording data on the optical disk 10 on and from which the video datais recorded and reproduced in the logic formats shown in FIGS. 26 to 79and a recording system to which the recording method is applied.

FIG. 88 shows an encoder system that creates a video file 88 of a titleset 84 whose video data is encoded. In the system of FIG. 88, forexample, a videotape recorder (VTR) 201, an audiotape recorder (ATR)202, and a sub-picture source 203 are used as sources of the main videodata, audio data, and sup-picture data. Under the control of a systemcontroller (Sys con) 205, they create the main video data, audio data,and sup-picture data, which are supplied to a video encoder (VENC) 206,an audio encoder (AENC) 207, and a sub-picture encoder (SPENC) 208,respectively. Under the control of the system controller (Sys con) 205,these encoders 206, 207, and 208 perform A/D conversion of the mainvideo data, audio data, and sup-picture data and encode them by therespective compression schemes. The encoded main video data, audio data,and sub-picture data (Comp Video, Comp Audio, Comp Sub-pict) are storedin memories 210, 211, and 212.

The main video data, audio data, and sub-picture data (Comp Video, CompAudio, Comp Sub-pict) are outputted to a file formatter (FFMT) 214 underthe control of the system controller (Sys con) 205, which converts themso that they may have a file structure of video data for the system asexplained earlier. Then, under the control of the system controller (Syscon) 205, the setting conditions for each data item and the managementinformation including attributes are stored in a memory 216 in the formof files.

Explained next will be a standard flow of an encoding process in thesystem controller (Sys con) 205 that creates a file from video data.

According to the flow of FIG. 89, the main video data and audio data areencoded and the encoded main video data and audio data (Comp Video, CompAudio) are supplied. Specifically, when the encoding process is started,as shown in step S70 of FIG. 67, the parameters necessary for encodingthe main video data and audio data are set. Part of the set parametersare stored in the system controller (Sys con) 205 and at the same time,are used at the file formatter (FFMT) 214. As shown in step S271, themain video data is pre-encoded using the parameters and the optimumdistribution of the amount of codes is calculated. Then, on the basis ofthe code amount distribution obtained in the pre-encoding, the mainvideo data is encoded as shown in step S272. At the same time, the audiodata is also encoded at step S272. As shown in step in S273, ifnecessary, the main video data is partially encoded again and thereencoded portion of the main video data is replaced with the old one.Through the series of steps, the main video data and audio data areencoded. Furthermore, as shown in steps S274 and S275, the sub-picturedata is encoded and the encoded sub-picture data (Comp Sub-pict) issupplied. Namely, the parameters necessary for encoding the sub-picturedata are set. As shown in step S274, part of the parameters are storedin the system controller (Sys con) 205 and used in the file formatter(FFMT) 214. On the basis of the parameters, the sub-picture data isencoded. By the process, the sup-picture data is encoded.

According to the flow of FIG. 90, the encoded main video data, audiodata, and sup-picture data (Com Video, Com Audio, Comp Sub-pict) arecombined and converted so as to form a video data title set structure asexplained in FIGS. 26 and 79. Specifically, as shown in step S276, acell is set as the smallest unit of the video data and cell playbackinformation on the cell (C₋₋ PBI) is created. Then, as shown in stepS277, the structure of the cells constituting a program chain and themain video, sub-picture, and audio attributes (the information obtainedin encoding the respective data items is used as part of theseattributes) are set. Then, as shown in FIG. 50, a video title setinformation management table information (VTSI₋₋ MAT) 278 includinginformation on program chains and a video title set program chain table(VTS₋₋ PGCIT) 300 are created. At this time, as the need arises, a videotitle set direct access pointer table (VTS₋₋ DAPT) is also created. Theencoded main video data, audio data, and sup-picture data (Com Video,Comp Audio, Comp Sub-pict) are subdivided into specific packs. An NVpack is placed at the head of each VOBU so that playback can be effectedin the order of time code of each data item. With the NV packs arrangedthis way, each data cell is positioned so that a video object (VOB) maybe composed of a plurality of cells as shown in FIG. 28. A set of suchvideo objects is formatted into the title set structure.

In the flow of FIG. 90, the program chain information (PGI) is obtainedin the process of step S277 by using the database in the systemcontroller (Sys con) 205 or entering data again as the need arises.

FIG. 91 shows a disk formatter system that records on an optical diskthe title set formatted as described above. In the disk formatter systemof FIG. 91, the memories 220, 222 in which the created title set isstored supply these file data items to a volume formatter (VFMT) 226.The volume formatter (VFMT) 226 extracts the management information fromthe title sets 284, 286, produces a video manager 71, and creates thelogic data to be recorded on the disk 10 in the arrangement of FIG. 26.A disk formatter (DFMT) 228 adds error correction data to the logic datacreated at the volume formatter (VFMT) 226, thereby reconverting thelogic data into physical data to be recorded on the disk. A modulator230 converts the physical data created at the disk formatter (DFMT) 228into the recording data to be recorded actually on the disk.

Then, a recorder 232 records the modulated recording data on the disk10.

A standard flow for creating the aforementioned disk will be describedwith reference to FIGS. 92 and 93. FIG. 92 shows the flow of creatingthe logic data to be recorded on the disk 10. Specifically, as shown instep S280, parameter data items, including the number of video datafiles, their arrangement, and the size of each video data file, are setfirst. Next, as shown in step S281, a video manager 71 is created fromthe set parameters and the video title set information 281 in each videotitle set 72. Thereafter, as shown in step S282, the video manager 71and video title set 72 are arranged in that order according to thecorresponding logical block number, thereby creating the logic data tobe recorded on the disk 10.

Thereafter, the flow of creating the physical data to be recorded on thedisk as shown in FIG. 93 is executed. Specifically, as shown in stepS283, the logic data is divided into units of a specific number ofbytes, thereby forming error correction data. Next, as shown in stepS284, the logic data divided into units of a specific number of bytesare combined with the created error correction data to form physicalsectors. Thereafter, as shown in step S285, physical data is created bycombining physical sectors. In this way, the modulating process based oncertain rules is performed on the physical data created in the flow ofFIG. 93, thereby forming the recording data. Thereafter, the recordingdata is recorded on the disk 10.

The above-described data structure can be applied not only to a casewhere the data is recorded on recording mediums, such as optical disks,and then the disks are distributed to the users, who play back them, butalso to a communication system as shown in FIG. 94. Specifically,according to the procedures shown in FIGS. 80 to 85B, an optical disk 10in which a video manager 71 and video title sets 72 as shown in FIG. 26are stored may be loaded into a reproducing apparatus 300, from whosesystem CPU section 50 the encoded data is taken out digitally andtransmitted by a modulator/transmitter 310 to the users or the cablesubscribers by radio or via a cable. Furthermore, the encoding system320 and format system shown in FIGS. 88 and 91 may encode and format thedata, respectively, on the provider side, such as a broadcastingstation, and the formatted data may be transmitted by themodulator/transmitter 310 to the users or the cable subscribers by radioor via cables. In such a communication system, the information in thevideo manager 71 is modulated at the modulator/transmitter 310 and thensupplied to or is directly supplied to the users free of charge. When auser is interested in the title, the modulator/transmitter 310 transmitsthe title set 72 at the user's or subscriber's request by radio or via acable. Under the control of the video manager 71, the video title setinformation 94 is first transferred and then the title video object 95in the video title set reproduced according to the title set information94 is transferred. At this time, if necessary, the video title set menuvideo object 95 is also transmitted. The transferred data is received bya receiver/demodulator 400 on the user side and is processed as dencodeddata at the system CPU section 50 of the reproducing apparatus on theuser or subscriber side of FIG. 1 in the same manner as in theabove-described reproducing process, whereby the video data isreproduced.

As shown in FIGS. 85A and 85B, video data is transferred using a PGC asa unit. After a PGC has been transferred, a subsequent PGC to betransferred can be selected arbitrarily on the user side. If it is notselected on the user side, a subsequent PGC to be transferred will bedetermined automatically. As a result, even with such a communicationsystem, video data can be reproduced in an interactive environment.

In the above embodiments, the optical disk of the high-density recordingtype has been explained as a recording medium. The present invention,however, may be applied to recording mediums other than optical disks.For instance, the invention may be applied to magnetic disks or otherrecording mediums that enable data to be recorded physically at a highdensity.

As described above, with the present invention, because a plurality ofmovies and programs that can be selected are recorded together withbranching information (selection information) on a single optical disk,an interactive environment can be provided for the user withoutpreparing a dedicated application for each disk.

Furthermore, with the invention, recording branching information(selection information) on a disk on a closed-file set basis increasesthe portability of data and facilitates data handling.

Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to thoseskilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects isnot limited to the specific details, and illustrated examples shown anddescribed herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept asdefined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of reproducing video data cells from arecording medium, said method comprising:(A) providing the recordingmedium having a data area which includes a video object to be reproducedand a program chain information table for defining at least two programchains each of which is specified by a program chain number; whereinsaid video object has an arrangement of video data cells, each cellbeing composed of video object units, and each video object unitcomposed of a sequence of data packs, the sequence of the data packsincluding a combination of at least one video, audio and sub-picturepacks and a navigation pack placed at the head of the sequence, each ofthe video, audio and sub-picture packs includes a pack header and apacket of encoded video, audio or sub-picture data, and the navigationpack includes a pack header, a first packet for storing a first controlinformation of presenting the video object unit and second packet forstoring a second control information of searching the video objectunits, and said program chain information table includes program chaininformation items associated with respective said program chains, andsearch pointers corresponding to the program chain numbers, forsearching the corresponding program chain items, respectively, said eachof said program chain information items comprising:(1) cell playbackinformation specifying a playback order of said video data cells in anassociated program chain, each cell being defined by start addresses ofthe first and last video object units in the corresponding cells; (2)content information describing the number of cells in said associatedprogram chain; and (3) program chain navigational control informationcomprising:(a) previous program chain information indicative of whetherthere exists a program chain that precedes said associated program chainduring reproduction of said program chains from said recording medium,(b) a previous program chain number specifying said program chainpreceding said associated program chain, if said program chain precedingsaid associated program chain exists, (c) next program chain informationindicative of whether there exists a program chain that follows saidassociated program chain during reproduction of said program chains fromsaid recording medium, (d) a next program chain number specifying saidprogram chain following said associated program chain, if said programchain following said associated program chain exists, (e) GoUp programchain information indicative of whether there exists a GoUp programchain that can be reproduced instead of continuing to reproduce saidassociated program chain; and (f) a GoUp program chain number specifyingsaid group program chain, if said group program chain exists, (B)searching said recording medium for said program chain information itemcorresponding one of said program chains and acquiring said video datacells constituting said one of program chain with reference to said cellplayback information in said program chain information item; (C) storingsaid program chain item in said program chain information table; (D)transferring said video object units in said acquired video data cellsand converting said video, audio and sub-picture packs into video, audioand sub-picture signals; (E) indicating a link of another one of saidprogram chains; and (F) referring said stored program chain navigationcontrol information in said stored program chain information item inresponse to the link indication, checking the exist of said another oneprogram chain, and linking said one program chain to said another oneprogram chain, if said another one program chain exists.
 2. A methodaccording to claim 1, wherein each of said program chain informationitems includes information indicative of a duration of time needed toreproduce said associated program chain.
 3. A method according to claim2, further comprising:(H) acquiring first content information associatedwith another program chain following if said another program chain is tobe reproduced next and setting a playback state according to said firstcontent information associated with said another program; (I) acquiringfirst cell playback information associated with said another programchain if said another program chain is to be reproduced next andreproducing video data cells according to the first cell playbackinformation associated with said another program; and (J) acquiringprogram chain navigational control information associated with saidanother program chain if said another program chain is to be reproducednext and reproducing groups of said video data cells associated withsaid another program according to said program chain navigationalcontrol information associated with said another program.
 4. A methodaccording to claim 1, wherein each of said program chain informationitems includes information indicative of a user operation that isprohibited during reproduction of said associated program chain furthercomprising preventing performance of said user operation specified insaid program chain information items.
 5. A method according to claim 1,wherein said video data cells include video data packs for reproducingimages, audio data packs for reproducing audio, and sub-picture datapacks for reproducing sub-pictures, said audio data packs containing atleast one audio stream, wherein each audio stream is identified by anaudio stream number and can be reproduced selectively, and saidsub-picture data packs containing sub-picture streams that areidentified by sub-picture stream numbers and can be reproducedselectively.
 6. A method according to claim 1, wherein eachof saidprogram chain information items includes selectable audio stream numbersand selectable sub-picture stream numbers, wherein the method furthercomprises: specifying an audio stream number and a sub-picture steamnumber from said selectable audio stream numbers and the selectablesub-picture stream numbers, and reproducing an audio stream and asub-picture stream corresponding to said specified audio stream numberand sub-picture stream number.
 7. A method according to claim 1, whereinsaid program chain navigational control information includes informationindicative of a repetitive playback mode of said associated programchain and a number of repetitions to be performed, the method furthercomprising: reproducing video data cells repeatedly according to saidinformation indicative of said repetitive playback mode and said numberof repetitions.
 8. A method according to claim 1, wherein said programchain navigational control information includes information indicativeof whether a reproduced state of said associated program chain is forcedto remain stationary after said associated program chain has beenreproduced and information indicative of a duration of said stationarystate, if said reproduced state is to remain stationary.
 9. A methodaccording to claim 1, wherein each of said program chain informationitems includes a program chain command table containing precommandinformation describing commands to be executed before said associatedprogram chain is presented, the method further comprising:setting aplayback state according to the program chain information table, whereinsaid precommand is executed in said setting of the playback state.
 10. Amethod according to claim 1, wherein each of said program chaininformation items includes a program chain command table containingpostcommand information describing commands to be executed after saidassociated program chain is presented, the method furthercomprising:setting a playback state according to the program chaininformation table, wherein a postcommand is executed in said setting ofthe playback state.
 11. A method according to claim 10, wherein saidpostcommand information includes a command to change a processingrelated to playback of said associated program chain according to anexternally supplied input after reproduction of said associated programchain, the method further comprising:setting a playback state accordingto the program chain information table, wherein a postcommand isexecuted in said setting of the playback state.
 12. A method accordingto claim 1, wherein each of said program chain information itemsincludes intercell command information defining a command to be executedafter a cell in said associated program chain has been presented, themethod further comprising:executing said intercell command inreproducing of video data cells.
 13. A method according to claim 1,wherein said video data cells include video data packs for reproducingimages, audio data packs for reproducing audio, and sub-picture datapacks for reproducing sub-pictures, the method further comprising:(G)reproducing said sub-picture data packs so that a user can use saidreproduced sub-picture data as a basis from which to select particularvideo to be viewed.
 14. A method according to claim 1, wherein said cellplayback information includes data indicative of a start address of avideo data cell in said associated program chain, the method furthercomprising:acquiring a data cell by reference to said start address ofsaid video data cell.
 15. A method according to claim 1, wherein saidcell playback information includes the start address of the last datacell in said data arrangement in said data area, the method furthercomprising:acquiring said start address of said last data cell and usingsaid address to control reproduction of information from said recordingmedium.
 16. A method according to claim 1, wherein said data areaincludes search information for searching for said program chaininformation table recorded therein, wherein said method further includesacquiring said search information to obtain a management informationtable.
 17. A method according to claim 1, wherein said data areaincludes menu information for choosing a program chain recorded therein,the method further comprising:displaying a menu according to said menuinformation.